234 DESCRIPTION OF FOSSIL PALM-WOOD. 
Description of Tab. XVI. 
Fig. 1. Section of a specimen of fossil Palm-wood of large size, found a little 
to the east of Worthing; it does not appear to have been much rolled ; its cha- 
racter is like some of the Bognor wood, very dark, and containing sulphuret of 
iron. 
a. Magnified section. 
The structure of this Palm resembles that of the cocoa-nut species, having but 
one form of fasciculi or bundles of vessels ; it is in good preservation, and shows 
very clearly at letter 6 the stem, and letter c the root. 
Fig. 2. Section of a Palm of a more common species, much rolled and not so 
large as fig. 1: found between Worthing and Little Hampton. 
a. Magnified horizontal section. 
This Palm exhibits, in addition to the fasciculi of the preceding specimen, 
smaller bundles entirely fibrous or consisting of elongated cells. This fossil is 
much decomposed, but does not contain sulphuret of iron. 
b. Longitudinal section in which spiral vessels are indistinctly shown, and a 
more distinct view of one of the great tubes or dotted ducts. 
c. Magnified view of crystallized bodies pervading fig. 2. I have observed 
similar bodies in other specimens found on the coast. 
Fig. 3 & fig. 3 a. Section of a much-rolled specimen found near Shoreham. 
a. Magnified section. 
This Palm seems to be a modification of fig. 2; but its structure is not well 
seen, owing to its being much decomposed ; it shows however the fibrous struc- 
ture of the small fasciculi more distinctly. Figs. 1, 2 and 3 are modifications of 
Palms found in great perfection in the fossil specimens from Antigua. 
Fig. 4. Section of the root of a Palm not much rolled, found opposite 
Worthing ; a great portion of it is converted into sulphuret of iron. 
a. Magnified section, differing in some respects from the preceding specimens, 
and also from those commonly brought from Antigua or the Kast Indies. 
I have a very large specimen of fossil Palm-wood found at Bracklesham Bay 
quite black ; it shows however by its rounded appearance that it must have been 
the top a crown of long fringed leaves, like a graceful plume waving to the wind. Its timber is used 
for domestic purposes; its leaves converted into baskets, bonnets, &c.; the fibres of the husk that 
covers the fruit, into ropes, mats and ail kinds of cordage, and the shells into drinking and other cups, 
bottles, &c. The liquor contained in the fruit is a delicious drink, the fruit itself is eaten, and a most 
valuable oil is prepared from it. 
