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PALMYRA PALM.—Borassus Flabellifer. A palm extensively 
cultivated for the sake of the fruit and leaves; these and 
other parts of the palm are put to numerous uses, like the 
coconut palm. The large black fruits contain a refreshing 
sap much relished as a cooling drink; the soft kernels of 
young fruits are much used as an article of food. The sap 
obtained from the flower spathes is used for drinking as 
toddy and distilled for producing an intoxicating spirit called 
Arrack otherwise used for making Sugar or Jaggery. The 
yield of the liquid varies from 3 to 6 bottles a tree per day. 
The young leaves are used for making fans, baskets, buckets, 
la, etc., and the leaf-stalks and midribs furnish an excellent 
brush-fibre, which forms an article of export. The trunks 
yield a hard and most durable timber and the husks are in 
demand for fuel. In the East, Palmyra Palm ranks next in 
importance to the coconut among palms. 
Seeds £3 per 100. 
RHEA-FIBRE OR CHINA GRASS.—Boehmeria Nivea. One of 
the valuable of textile fibres pure white and silky, used in 
manufacturing of finest linen, incandescent gas mantles, 
etc. A crop of stems may be expected in eight months from 
time of planting, and about four cuttings a year. About 30 
tons of stems is estimated for a year per acre, and the fibre 
is usually valued in England at £20 to £40 per ton. 
Root cuttings at £2 10s. Od. per 100. 
SAGO PLANT OF CEYLON.—Cycas Circinalis. A palm like 
plant with very handsome, long feathery leaves, the large 
seeds are made into a useful sago. 
Seeds 12s. per 100. 
SANDALWOOD.—Santalum Album. The tree yields the Sandal- 
wood of commerce. Both white and yellow Sandalwood is 
produced from the same tree. 
Seeds 10s. per 100. 
SAPPAN WOOD.—Caesalpinia Sappan. The reddish heart-wood 
yields a red dye, and is exported largely from Ceylon. The 
tree grows freely from sea level up to 2,000 ft. An excellent 
plant for hedges. 
Seeds 5s. per 100. 
