Vegetable Ivory

the seeds of a Central American palm. The fruits of this palm are globular and are borne near the ground. The seeds are about the size of a hen's egg. When immature they are milky and of a sweet flavor, not unlike that of the cocoanut. In ripening, the nut hardens until it makes a very fit substitute for animal ivory. Before it becomes too hard this nut is easily worked in a lathe and absorbs dyes readily. It is much used in making mottled buttons designed to match the patterns of tweed suits, etc., and for making many small articles of turnery, such as umbrella handles and the like. American manufacturers import about 15,000,000 pounds of vegetable ivory yearly. See Button; Palm