Mr. G. Clarke on the Coco de Mer. 



409 



felt, of a fawn colour, which only yields its hold when the leaf 

 unfolds itself. The male flowers are of a most remarkable struc- 

 ture, and still more remarkable for their 

 duration. 



The spathe is from 20 to 30 inches 

 long, and the surface reticulated with 

 perfect regularity; the blossoms appear 

 at the angles, and these, by a most won- 

 derful contrivance, continue to bud 

 forth for eight or ten years ! Twenty 

 blossoms are provided for each aper- 

 ture. Here is a section (by fracture) 

 which may convey some idea of this 

 singular structure. The colour of the 

 spathe is deep brown, that of the sta- 

 mina bright yellow. 



These compartments have somewhat 

 the appearance of diminutive fir-cones 

 at first sight ; but if taken out and ex- 

 amined separately, they appear very 

 different. 



In their perpendicular position they 

 appear thus ; and a section of them 

 in the same direction shows a sheath 

 for each flower, which pushes off its 

 predecessor, as it verges to maturity. 

 Only one catkin is put forth annually, 

 and eight or ten are often observable 

 on the same tree, and all flowering. 

 There is only one female tree on the island of Mahe that bears ; 

 and that has only one drupe, which has been on it eight 

 years, and does not yet give any indications of falling, 

 though it appears just ripe. It was produced by suspending 

 a male spadix on the leaves of the female tree, which stands 

 alone ; -and it was some months before the effects of the im- 

 pregnation were observable. To what age the plant might 

 attain, if untouched, it is impossible to say ; but there are 

 many that the leaf-marks prove to be nearly 400 years old, 

 and they exhibit no signs of decay. It appears that they 

 thrive best, or rather grow most quickly, in a rich moist soil ; 

 but they are found in the driest spots, in the decayed granite 

 and in quartzose sand. They begin to bear at from twenty- 

 five to thirty years old. The outside of the stem is extremely 

 hard and durable ; the inside is very soft and spongy. The 

 female blossoms resemble very much those of the common 

 cocoa-nut, and appear to be susceptible of impregnation 



