302 MONOCOTYLEDONES. 



of the plum-like fruits of Elceis guineensis (W. Africa), and from the seeds, 

 when it is largely used in the manufacture of soap. EDIBLE FRUITS from 

 tbe Date-palm (Phoenix dactylifera, Arabia, Egypt, W. Africa), and the 

 endosperm of the Cocoa-nut (Cocos nucifera). The seeds and the unripe fruits 

 of the Areca-palm (Areca cateclni) are chewed with the leaves of the Betel- 

 peper, principally in Asia. VEGETABLE IVORY from the hard endosperm of 

 Phytelephas macrocarpa (S. America.) Many species are cultivated in the tropics 

 as ornamental plants, but in this country only Chamcerops humilis, Livistona 

 australis and chinensis are generally grown. In addition to the few just 

 mentioned, many others are of importance, but these are much the most 

 useful. 



Order 2. Cyclanthaceae. This is a small order related to the Pahus (44 

 species from Tropical America), with fan-like, folded leaves. The flowers are 

 unisexual and arranged in whorls or close spirals on an unbranched spadix. 

 Ovary unilocular, ovules numerous. To this belongs Carludovica palmata, 

 whose leaves are used for Panama hats. 



Order 3. Pandanaceae (Screw-pines) is another small order, forming a 

 transition to the Araceae. The woody, (apparently) dichotomous stem is 

 supported by a large number of aerial roots, which sometimes entirely support 

 it when the lower portion of the stem has decayed. The leaves are closely 

 crowded together, and arranged on the branches in three rows, which are often 

 obliquely displaced, with the formation of three spiral lines ; they are, as in 

 the Bromeliaceae, amplexicaul, long, linear, the edge and lower midrib often pro- 

 vided with thorns. The $ -flowers are borne in branched, the ? in un- 

 branched spadices or capitula, which resemble those of Sparganium, but have 

 no floral-leaves. Perianth absent. The drupes or berries unite into multiple 

 fruits. About 80 species in the islands of the Indian Ocean. Pandanus, 

 Fieycinetia. Fossils perhaps in the chalk of the Harz. 



Order 4. Typhacese. The flowers are unisexual, monoecious^ 

 and borne on a cylindrical spike or globose capitulura ; $ 

 inflorescences above, the $ below. The perianth consists of a 

 definite number of scales (^Sparganium), or in its place numerous 

 irregularly-arranged hairs are found (Typha) ; in the <$ -flower 

 there are generally three stamens ; the gynceceum is formed of 1-2" 

 carpels with 1 prolonged style ; 1 pendulous ovule. The seeds are 

 furnished with a seed-cover, which is cast off on germination. 

 The few species (about 20) which belong to this order are marsh 

 plants with creeping rhizome (and hence grow in clusters) ; the 

 leaves on the aerial shoots are borne in two rows, entire, very 

 long and linear. 



Sparganium (Bur-reed). The flowers are borne in globose 

 capitula ; the perianth distinct, generally consisting of 3 small 

 scales ; pistil bi-carpellate. Drupe, dry and woody. The stalk of the- 

 lower $ capitula is sometimes united with the main axis, and consequently the- 

 capitula are situated high above their subtending-leaf. 



