CARYO'TA, a genus of plants belonging to the natural order of Palms. It has pinnated leaves and wedge-shaped leaflets, strongly toothed at the extremity ; moncecioua polyandrous flowers; a some what peltato stigma • and a 1- or 2-seeded pulpy fruit, with the embryo near the point of the albumen. The best known species, Caryota wens, is a native of most of the tropical parts of Asia, especially in mountainous situations, where, according to Roxburgh, it grows to be one of the largest of the Palm Tribe. Its trunk is described as being 60 feet high, thick in proportion, and slightly marked with annular scars, produced by the fall of its loaves. Its wood is so hard as to be cut with some difficulty, and is consequently of considerable value, provided the soft sap-wood in the centre is scraped away. Its loaves are pinnate, the leaflets obliquely triangular, the apex of the triangle being the point whore they are attached to the stalk ; their end is irregularly toothed, as If bitten or gnawed by an animal (technically prternorse); and their general appearance is on this account so remarkable that Rum( compares them not inaptly to the fin of a fish. The mass of flowers (spadix) is said to be from 6 to 16 feet long, divided into many simple branches, which are pretty thickly covered with innumerable sessile flowers. The fruit is called
of palm yields no sap fit for manufacture into wino, and that the sago obtained from the soft central part of its stein is of such inferior quality as only to be employed in times of famine. Roxburgh how ever gives a very different account of it. He says :—" This tree is highly valuable to the natives of the countries where it grows in plenty ; it yields them during the hot season an immense quantity of toddy, or palm-wine. I have been informed that the best trees will yield at the rate of 100 pints in the 24 hours. The pith, or fari naceous part, of the trunk of old trees is said to be equal to the best sage ; the natives make it into bread, and bbil it into thick gruel. I have reason to believe this substance to be highly nutritious. I have eaten the gruel, and think it fully as palatable as that obtained from the Malay countries." This remarkable tree is not uncommon in this country in hot-houses where palms are cultivated.