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twenty-five pounds. The drupes are covered outside with hard 
woody protuberances, formed in the same manner as those of the 
trunk of Zestudinaria elephanthipes. Hach drupe contains from 
six to nine seeds, but generally seven. The testa is thick, bony ; 
the embryo peripherical, and placed near the hilum. 
In habit, the Phytelephas macrocarpa resembles the Corozo 
colorado (Hlaeis melanococca, Gertn.); so much so indeed, that 
at first sight the two are easily mistaken for each other. Both 
have trunks which, after creeping along the ground a few yards, 
ascend, and attain about an equal height. Their leaves also re- 
semble each other; and their fruit grows in a similar way, at- 
tached to comparatively short peduncles. The habit, however, is 
nearly the only link which connects Phytelephas with the order 
of Palms: its simple spadix, its imperfect flower, its indefinite 
number of stamens, and its embryo situated in the axis of a 
fleshy albumen, separate it from Palms, and proclaim it (in con- 
Junction with other characters which it presents) a member of 
Endlicher’s class Spadicifore and Lindley’s Alliance Arales. Bo- 
tanists enumerate four Orders as belonging to that great division 
(Pistiacee, Pandanee, Typhaceea, and Aroidee), To Pistiacee 
and Pandanee it cannot belong, because it has an axile placenta- 
tion. Amongst Zyphacee it cannot be placed, because it has a 
multiovular ovary. With Aroidee it cannot be associated, be- 
cause it has a drupaceous fruit. Repelled by these and other 
considerations from placing it with any of the Natural Orders 
above mentioned, and finding it impossible to trace out any rela- 
tionship of it with any other group than the Spadicifore, we are 
compelled to adopt the views of Martius, who looks upon it as 
the type of a new Natural Order (Phytelephanthea). 
The uses of the Ivory-plant may, as far as they are known, be 
summed up in a few words. The Indians cover their cottages 
with the leaves of it, but only when those of Palms are not pro- 
curable, as the latter last much longer than the former. The seed 
at first contains a clear insipid fluid, with which travellers allay 
their thirst; afterwards this same liquor becomes milky and 
sweet, and it changes its taste by degrees as it acquires solidity, 
until at last it is almost as hard as ivory. ‘The liquor contained 
in the young fruits turns acid if they are cut from the tree and 
kept some time. From the kernels (albumen) the American In- 
dians as well as European turners fashion the knobs of walking- 
sticks, the reels of spindles, and little toys, which are whiter than 
animal ivory, and equally hard, if they are not put under water; and 
if they are, they become white and hard when dried again. Bears, 
hogs, and turkeys devour the young fruit with avidity. Purdie 
says :—‘ Enclosing the seeds is a yellow, sweet, oily pulp, which 
is collected at the proper season (October), and sold under the 
