MONOCOTYLEDONES 207 



arranged generally on a branched spadix, which is enclosed by 

 a spathe. Perianth usually green, inferior, in two whorls, each 

 of which is composed of three parts. Stamens usuallj^ 6, hypo- 

 gynous or perigynous. Carpels 1 — 3, generally united, but 

 sometimes distinct ; ovary superior ; ovules solitary, or rarely 

 2. Fruit nut-like, baccate, or drupaceous. Seeds with a minute 

 embryo, in a pit of the albumen ; albumen fleshy or horny, 

 often ruminated. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Most of the plants are tropical, 

 but a few occur in temperate regions. Illusirative Genera : — 

 Areca, Linn. ; Chamaerops, Linn. ; Attalea, Humb. ; Cocos, 

 Linn. There are above 600 species. 



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

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

 as regards their dietetical and economic applications, as the 

 Palm Order. These plants supply him with sugar, starch, oil, 

 wax, wine, resin, astringent matters, and also edible fruits and 

 seeds. Tlieir terminal leaf-buds, when boiled, are eaten as a 

 vegetable. Their leaves are applied in various ways, as for 

 thatching, materials for writing upon, and in the manufacture 

 of hats, matting, &c. ; their wood is applied to many useful pur- 

 poses ; the fibres of their petioles and fi'uits supply materials 

 for cordage, cloth, and various other textile fabrics ; and the 

 hard albumen of their seeds is applicable in man}' ways. 



Series 5. — Nudiflorce. 



Order 26. Pandanace^, the Screw-pine Order. — Charac- 

 ter. — Palm-like trees or shrubs. Leaves amplexicaul, linear- 

 lanceolate, and then imbricate, and spirally- arranged in 3 rows ; 

 or pmnated or fan-shaped. Flowers unisexual or polygamous, 

 numerous, arranged on a simple or branched spadix, with manj' 

 spathaceous bracts. Perianth absent or scaly. Stamens 

 numerous ; anthers 2 — 4-celled. Ovaries 1-celled ; ovules soli- 

 tary or numerous, on parietal placentas. Fruit consisting of a 

 number of 1-seeded fibrous drupaceous carpels, or baccate, and 

 many-celled, and many-seeded. Fmbryo minute, embedded at 

 the side near the base of fleshy albumen. By Bentham and 

 HooJcer this order is separated into two orders, the Pandanacece 

 and the Cyclanthacece. 



Distribution and Numbers. — Exclusively tropical plants. 

 Illustrative Genera : — Pandanus, Linn. fil. ; Carludovica, 

 B. et P. There are about 75 species. 



