AA CAVE (Arbenz 2014) 2nd, banana doline

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

An unspecified closed depression (unidentified shape, unidentified dimensions, unidentified characteristics) in what probably is Lakadong Sandstone (Middle Sylhet stage) probably gives access to the underlying Lakadong Limestone (Lower Sylhet stage). ETYMOLOGY: No autochthonous, indigenous or locally known name has been identified for this closed depression or a doline with banana trees [sic! qua: treelike plants] growing in it, but it was said to have no cave (anonymous Arbenz, T in: anonymous Brooks, S J et al. 2014.04.05 Mss: Diary Meghalaya 2014 Second Edit: 25th February, Tuesday). SITUATION: In an unspecified setting at an unidentified location on the Lakadong - Umlatdoh Plateau and in an unspecified spatial relation near the village well of a populated place referred to as Lakadong/Ummat (anonymous Arbenz, T in: anonymous Brooks, S J et al. 2014.04.05 Mss: Diary Meghalaya 2014 Second Edit: 25th February, Tuesday). CAVE LIFE: Thomas Arbenz and Roger Galloway noticed on 25th Febrary 2014 in the daylight-part of the closed depression a growth of banana trees or, more likely, of banana plants (family Musaceae: genus Musa: several species, in particular M. sapientum), the tropical and subtropical treelike plant that has very large leaves and resembles a palm, but lacks a woody trunk, and bears clusters of long curved fruits with soft pulpy flesh and yellow skin when ripe. Comments: 1966 banana, n. ka kait (BLAH, E 2007: 25); plantain, n. ka kait (BLAH, E 2007: 226). 1920 Banana (ba-na'na) n. Ka kait (SINGH, N 1920: 36); Plantain (plan'tan) n. Ka kait (SINGH, N 1920: 382). 1909 Plantains, or bananas (Musa sapientum) (IMPERIAL GAZETTEER 1907-1909, 25: 444). 1904 Kait, ka, n. a plantain, a banana; (Synteng) scissors (SINGH, N 1906: 20). 1906 Khasis highly prize the fruit of the plantain, which they give to infants mashed up. The following are the best known varieties: Ka kait khun, ka kait siem, ka kait kulbuit, ka kait bamon, ka kait shyieng (GURDON, P R T 190: 45). 1854 Plantain, ka kait (OLDHAM, T 1854 / 1984 appendix C: lxi). 1850 Wild Plantains are called Kairem, and the cultivated Kakesh; the latter are considered so nourishing that they are given to newborn infants (HOOKER, J D 1854-1855, 2: 268 footnote).