356 APPENDIX B. 



APPENDIX B (page 26). 



ON THE STAECH IN THE STEMS OF PALMS. 



The quantity of starch in one and the same stem differs to an 

 extraordinary degree with the age of the plant, and the periods 

 of flowering and fructification. 



The generation of starch will in some instances rapidly 

 increase not only within the cells, but occasionally even at the 

 expense of the cellular tissue. Thus, in the root-stock of Sabal 

 Mexicana, an abundance of starch is sometimes found, not only 

 in the interior of the cells, but also outside the latter. But 

 this phenomena is most striking in the East India Sago Palms 

 (Metroxylon), in which it can be clearly observed that the 

 generation of starch proceeds m distinct periods, and is in inti- 

 mate organic connection with the developement of the flowers 

 and fruit. The Malays are in the habit of speaking of the tree 

 as if it were with young at this period, during which it generates 

 in its interior a large quantity of starch, forming the store of 

 organic matter, out of which are to be produced, after liquefac- 

 tion, new ligneous particles, and flowers, and fruit. This state- 

 ment is peculiarly applicable to the Metroxylon RuTnphii Mart. 

 {Sagus genuina Rumph.) This tree, which is a perfect che- 

 mical laboratory for the preparation of starch, is monocarpous, 

 that is to say, it flowers and bears fruit only once, and then dies. 

 It has by that time attained a height of from 28 to 30 feet. 

 The stem, which is cylindrical, and more than a foot in diameter, 

 consists of a mere shell, about one and a half to two inches 

 thick, of a whitish wood of no great degree of hardness. 

 Within the shell is enclosed a mass of spongy tissue formed of 

 interlaced fibres, the cells of which are filled with starch 

 granules. In the first stage of growth, whilst the stem still 

 remains itnripe, if the expression may be allowed, it contains 

 only an inconsiderable quantity of starch. As growth progresses, 

 and the base of the leaf stalks, and the upper part of the stem 

 begins to be covered with long fibrous filaments or prickles, the 

 quantity of starch increases. 



The period of the greatest increase is indicated by the shed- 

 ding of these prickles, and by the leaves being covered with a 



