DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL PALM-WOOD. 233 
In the Pliocene (four)— 
Flabellaria Antiguensis. 
Palmacites crassipes. 
Fasciculites Antiguensis. 
Withami. 
Forty-three species ; being about one-third of the number in proportion to the 
family of Coniferee. 
Nearly a thousand species of recent Palms are supposed to exist ; they are 
found in all quarters of the globe ; the greatest variety occur in A®quinoctial 
South America, where they flourish most luxuriantly, some of them reaching 70 
feet or upwards in height. In Asia they are not quite so numerous. The Date- 
palm (Phenix dactylifera) is a native of Africa, a most abundant and useful 
species, though less beautiful than many other kinds. This Palm grows also in 
Asia, and is cultivated in many parts of the south of Europe, but only brings its 
fruit to perfection near Valencia, where it was originally planted on account of 
its fronds being used at the celebration of Palm Sunday. The Date-palm is the 
species mentioned in the Bible, and was emblematic of Judzea; as we see on 
the coins of Vespasian and Titus with Judza Capta, &c.; it also occurs on the 
reverse of a coin of Nerva, and on the beautiful coins of Panormus in Sicily, 
&c. The Palm has been regarded by almost all nations as the emblem of victory. 
Palmyra is said to have derived its name from the numerous palms which grew 
near it. The Phenix dactylifera is a most essential article of food for the inha- 
bitants of Egypt, Arabia and Persia. In Europe there is but one indigenous 
Palm (the Chamerops humilis), of small size, being seldom more than 7 or 8 feet 
in height*. The Palm tribe diminish in size and beauty from the equator 
towards the temperate zones, the climate best suited being from 75° to 85° of 
Fahrenheit, England being about 50°; and they flourish best on the banks of 
rivers and estuaries, or near the seashore. 
The Cocoa-nut Palm (Cocos nucifera), so common on the continent of South 
America, its adjacent islands, and the Polynesian groups, is also a most valuable 
species, supplying in various ways the wants of man}. The Date and Cocoa-nut 
Palms have pinnated leaves like many of the fossil species. 
* Tn the Jardin des Plantes at Paris, I saw in 1847 two Palms of this species nearly 16 feet in 
height, which are considered the finest European specimens. 
+ The Cocos nucifera has a cylindrical stem, being 3 or 4 feet in diameter at the root, and tapering 
to 5 or 6 inches at the top. It has no branches, but shoots up one bold stem 60 or 70 feet, bearing at 
