264 SIR JOHN LUBBOCK ON 
PHILYDRACES. 
Helmholtzia glaberrima, Caruel.—Here, again, the axial or 
terminal bud is protected by the equitant bases of the leaves. 
Axillary buds seldom develop, but they also would be pro- 
tected by the same means as the terminal one. 
JUNCACEX. 
Prionium Palmita, E. Mey.—Leaves dilated at the base, im- 
bricate and sheathing, persistent. 
The stems are woody, erect, slow-growing, and closely invested 
for many years both by living and dead leaves, the tough fibrous 
tissue of which resists decay for a long time. 
The sheaths are gradually dilated towards the base, but suddenly 
widened there, surrounding a considerable portion of the stem, 
whose edges are perfectly continuous with those of the lamina. 
Terminal bud very large, continuous, consisting of many erect 
leaves which attain a length of 75 cm. to 1 m. before becoming 
exposed. 
Axillary buds seldom developing, except when the terminal 
bud is injured or destroyed, accidentally or otherwise. Fresh or 
additional stems usually arise from the base of the plant, as 
suckers from the creeping rhizome. 
Parnw. 
Cocos nucifera, Linn.—The sheath is entire, and consists of 
several layers of brown fibres, some of which are longitudinal, while 
other series cross each other diagonally in an ascending direction, 
and form a layer like woven stuff of very coarse texture. The 
fibres are more or less mixed with membranous, more perishable 
material; they arise or are given off from the edge of the petiole. 
The sheath may be compared to others occurring amongst Mono- 
cotyledons, and differs only in the extraordinary development 
of the fibrous portion, while the membranous matter 18 more 
perishable. o, 
The terminal bud is deeply sunk amongst the imbricating 
bases of the petioles and surrounded by the sheath, which 5 
ultimately split by the swelling of the axis. The develops 
leaf is compactly folded, with the pinne imbrieated in 8 T . 
like mass, attaining a great length before it unfolds and push 
up from the centre of the erown of leaves. 
Axillary buds seldom or never develop. 
