PETALOIDE.E. 



683 



celled. Fruit nut-like, baccate, or drupaceous {fig. 1058). 

 Seeds with a minute embryo {fig. 1058 e and 1059), in a caWty 

 of the albumen {fig. 1058(f); albumen fleshy, or horny {figs. 

 1058 c and 1059), often ruminate {fig. 740 p). 



Fig. 1054. Fig. 1056. Fig. 1057. 



^.^^ 



Fig. 1055. 



Fig. 1058. Fig. 1059. 



i^ig. 1054. Diagram of the staminate flower of the Fan Palm (Chamcerops), 



■with six divisions to the perianth, and six stamens Fig. 105.5. Diagram 



of the pistillate flower of the same, with six divisions to the perianth, and a 



3-celled ovary Fig. lOofi. Hermaphrodite flower of the Blue Palmetto 



(CTamcerops Az/s^rix). with the perianth removed, ov. Ovary, st- Stamens. 

 Fig. 1057. The same, with three of the stamens removed, so as to exhibit 

 more completely the three carpels composing the pistil, st. Stamens, c. 



Carpels Fig. 10.58. Vertical section of the fruit of the Cocoa-Xut Palm 



{.Cocos nucifera). a. Two outer layers or husk of the pericarp. 6. Endocarp, 

 or inner layer, or shell, c. Albumen, d. Cavity in the albumen, e. Em- 

 bryo Fig. 1059. Vertical section of the seed of the Fan Palm. 



Distribution, Sfc. — Most of the plants are tropical, but a few 

 occur in temperate regions. Examples : — Chamaedorea, Leo- 

 poldinia, Areca, Saguerus, Calamus, Sagus, Lodoicea, Hyphgene, 

 Chamserops, Phoenix, Acrocomia, Attalea, Elais, Cocos, Phyte- 

 lephas. Lindley enumerates 73 genera, and 400 species. 



Properties and Uses. — Of all orders of plants, there is none, 

 with the exception of the Grasses, that is so valuable to man, as 

 regards their dietetical and economical apphcations, as the Palms, 

 They supply him with sugar, starch, oil, wax, wine, resin, astrin- 

 gent matters, and edible fruits and seeds. Their terminal leat- 



