206 



MANUAL OF BOTANY 



in each cell; rarely 1-celled, 1-seeded, and indehiscent ; embrijo 

 very minute, in fleshy or horny albumen ; radicle inferior. 



Distrihution and Numbers. — A few are found in tropical 

 regions, but most of the order inhabit cold and temperate 

 climates. Illustrative Genera : —Jnncns, DC. ; Luzula, DC. 

 There are about 200 species. 



Fig. 964. 



Fig. 965. Fig. 966. 



Fig. 967. 



Fig. 968. 



Fig. 969. 



Fig. 904. Diagram of a staminate flower of the Fan Palm {C7i ameer ops), 



with six divisions to tlie perianth, and six stamens. Fig. 965. Diagram 



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



a 3-celled ovary. -Fig. 966. Hermaphrodite flower of the Blue Palmetto 



{Chamccrops /lystrix), with the perianth removed, ov. Oarpels. st. Sta- 

 mens. Fig. 967. The same, with three of the stamens removed, so 



as to exhibit more completelv the three carpels composing the pistil. 



at. Stamens, c. Carpels. Fig. 968. Vertical section of the fruit of the 



Cocoa-nut Palm (Cocos nucifera). a. The two outer layers or husk of the 

 pericarp, b. Bndocarp or inner layer, c. Albumen, d. Cavity in the 

 albumen, e. Embr^'o. — —Fig. 969. Vertical section of the seed of the 

 Fan Palm. 



Properties and Uses. — Their medicinal properties are unim- 

 portant, although some have a reputation as anthelmintics and 

 diuretics. 



Order 25. PALMACE^,the Palm Order. — Character. — Trees 

 or shrubs, with simple unbranched, or rarely dichotomously 

 branched trunks. Leaves terminal, large, mostly compound, 

 with sheathing stalks. Flowers hermaphrodite or unisexual, 



