THE PALMS OF BlilTISH INDIA AND CEYLON. 



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the whole ovate, strougly compressed, with the spikelets dense 1}^ 

 arranged and distichous, about \\ foot long comprising the pedun- 

 cular part which measures about 3 inches and which is sheathed by 

 some tubular spathes, of which the outermost is bi-winged and 

 prolonged on both sides into a falciforme acuminate apex. The 

 general spathe of the partial inflorescence is much dilated at the 

 base and ends in a broad and rather long acuminate point, is opa- 

 que and hazel outside, shining and chestnut inside. Spikelets 

 slightly arcuate, much compressed, of pectiform appearance on 

 account of the regular arrangement of the flowers ; the bigger ones 

 situated on the lower third are Sj-Sl? inches, long ; the upper ones 

 become gradually shorter, about ^ inch thick comprising the flowers ; 

 the spathellules are distinctly and densely ciliate-paleaceous on the 

 margins. The flowers seem to be perfectly distichous. Male 

 flowers (fig. 2) : small, when fully developed h inch long, curved 

 calyx cyatiform, superficially o-denticulate and ciliate-paleaceous on 

 the margin, corolla about 2^ times longer than the calyx, opaque 

 on the outside, divided almost to the base into 3 linear segments. 

 Stamens 9 ; filaments stout, subfusiform, free or more or less united 

 at the base of the corolla. Female floANcrs (fig 2) : about ^ inch 

 long and }. inch broad, acuminate, sliohtlv attenuate at the base. 



Fig. 2. — liaphm vinifcra, P. I>. B. 



Upper row — Left : Two female flowers. 



Middle : Sing'le female flower. 



Rigfht : Seed seen from below. 

 Lower row — Left : Transverse section of seed with embryo. 



Middle : Male flower with bract and bracteole. 



Rigrht : Male flower opened ( after Drude). 



•Calyx not very deeply 3-lobed ; lobes obtuse, ciliate-paleaceous on 

 the margin, especially at the apex. Corolla by about ^ longer 

 8 



