«42 THE SUBDIVISIONS OF THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 



Palms is indigenous to Europe; Ceroxylon andicola is found in the Andes growing 

 at a height of 270 metres. Fossil remains are found in the formations of the 

 secondary and tertiary formations. The number of living species is about 1100. 

 AroidecB. — Perennial r)lants with tubers, rhizomes, and climbing stems which 



/^ 



Fig. 42L — Aroids. 



1 Arum maeulatum. -Spadix of ^. maeulatum, the spathe removed, s Fruiting spike of same. ^ Inflorescence of Colocasia 

 anti'juorum. * Basal portion of this inflorescence with part of spathe removed. « Ovary of Colocasia antiquorum. ' The 

 same in longitudinal section, s Columnar andnecium of same. 9 j^riopgis peltata. >, 5. ' nat. size; i, >.* reduced ; 

 •, *. " enlarged. 



generally bear large foliage -leaves. The flowers are borne on unbranched, fleshy 

 spadices which are inclosed in large, expanded spathes (c/. figs. 421 ^•*'^'^); they 

 are unisexual or hermaphrodite. The parts are inserted in whorls of 2 or 3; the 

 perianth-membere being inconspicuous and often absent. The androecium is very 

 various. In Colocasia antiquoruTn (fig. 421 ^) it consists of a whorl of stamens 



