136 MONOCOTYLED ONS 



The pungent taste and smell of the pepper corn is due to an 

 aromatic oil. The same substance is also noticeable in its leaves, 

 but to a lesser degree. 



The propagation of the Pepper vine is effected by means of 

 mature branches. These are layered, i. e., bent down into the 

 ground, and when they take root, they are severed from the 

 parent vine, planted out in shade, and trailed on to trees. 



5. A near ally of the Pepper vine is the Betel- Leaf Pepper 

 {Piper Betle; /va/«. Vilyada-balli; ilfa/. Tambillam; Tarn. ^Qiii- 

 laikkodi; Tel. Tamalapaku; Hin. Pan). Its leaves are chewed 

 with lime and the nut of tlie Areca palm. 



CLASS 2. -MONOCOTYLEDONS 



Plants with one seed-leaf, usually remaining enclosed in the germi- 

 nating seed, and feeding on the endosperm. Stems not separable into 

 pith, wood and bark, but consisting of fibro-vascular bundles, scattered 

 in the cellular tissue, with a firmly adherent rind outside. Leaves on 

 sheaths, usually parallel-veined. Floral parts generally in sets of three. 



32. The Palm Family 



(Palmae). 



Stem woody, unbranched. Leaves pinnately or palmately divided, 

 petiole broad-based. Flowers radial, in panicles or spikes, with large 

 sheathing bracts. Perianth usually six-leaved in two whorls, stamens 

 six in two whorls. Ovary of three carpels. Fruit a drupe with a 

 fibrous covering. 



The Cocoanut Palm {Cocos nucifera). 



(I'late No. G37.) 



{Kau. Tcngiiia-iiiarji. Mai. Toiia. Taui. Tonga. Td. Tenkayicettu. 



llin. Naralkcjliad. San. Tiiiiarajn.) • 



The Cocoanut Palm is a tree found only in tropical countries, 

 and there grows best near the seacoast. 



