PALMALUS. 



463 



Orders Nipaceae and Phytelephasieee, both of the tropics. In 

 the latter, Phytelephas macrocarpa, of Central America, ia remarkable 

 for the ivory-like endosperm in its large seeds ; hence its name of 

 Ivory Nut. 



Order Palmaceee. The Palm Family. Trees, shrubs, or woody 

 climbers ; natives almost exclusively of the torrid zone, or the adjacent 



FIGS. .353-6. ILLUSTRATIONS OP PALMACE.B. 



FIG. 356. 



FIG. 355. 

 docarp ; c, testa ; d, endosperm ; 



Fig. 353. Fruit of Cocoa-nut, a, exocarp ; 

 f, embryo ; /, milk cavity. 

 Fig. 354. Cocoa-nut seen from below. 

 Fisj. 355. Vertical section of a Date, showing seed inside. 

 Fig. 356. - Seed of Date in cross-section, showing embryo. 



hotter portions of the temperate zones, being rarely found beyond 40 

 North and 35 South latitude. The arborescent species are among tlie 

 most striking and majestic of plants; their long cylindrical stems fro 

 quently rise to the height of thirty metres (100 feet), bearing at their 

 summits spreading crowns of large leaves, and drooping clusters of fruit. 

 The whole number of known species ia not far from one thousand. 

 The economic value of the Palms is very great ; in fact it may be<jues- 



