CI. 3.] ASPARAGI. 71 



lyx (Corolla Linn.) in G deep segments, often per- 

 manent; 3 outermost often smallest. Stamens G, 

 rarely more or fewer, inserted into the base of its seg- 

 ments, or rather perhaps into a glandular body under 

 the Germen," (this last opinion is confirmed by Rox- 

 burgh and Salisbury,) "their Filaments often united 

 at the base. Germen superior, mostly simple. Style 

 1 or 3. Stigma simple or 3-cleft. Fruit a Berry, or 

 fibrous Drupa, of 1 or 3 cells, and 1 or 3 bony 

 Seeds. Embryo very small, in a dorsal or lateral 

 cavity, rarely in the base, of a large Albumen, which 

 is at first tender and eatable, finally horny. Stem 

 simple, usually lofty, round, formed without con- 

 centric circles (31), and scaly or fibrous from the 

 remains of Footstalks (23). Leaves in a terminal 

 tuft, alternate, sheathing, folded when young ; (their 

 Bud (26) perennial, but never renewable). Flower- 

 stalks generally much branched, invested with one 

 large common Sheath, and many partial ones, or 

 Bracteas, in pairs. Flowers mostly Ilexandrous, 

 sometimes Monoecious, Dioecious, but more fre- 

 quently Polygamous (65)." Palms are very long- 

 lived, generally tropical, some of them affording va- 

 luable food for man in a state of nature. 



The Leaves are pinnate in Phce?iLv, Areca, Cocos; 

 Cari/ota, &c; palmate in Corypha, Borassus, Cha- 

 marops, &c. 



Orel. 12. Asparagi. "Calyx (Corolla Linn.) re- 

 gular, in 6 segments, mostly inferior. Stamens 6 



