MONOCOTYLEDONS. 339 



CXXI. Restiaceje. Perianth wholly stiff and calyx-like or transparent. Flowers uni- 

 sexual. 



****** Perianth rudimentary or 0. Flowers sessile, within imbricated glumes. 



CXXII. CyperacEjE. Leaf-sheaths entire. Each flower usually in the axil of one glume, 

 without a palea. 



CXXIII. Gkamineje. Leaf-sheaths split open opposite the blade. Flower usually in a 

 secondary bract (palea), within the glume. 



OitDER CIV. PALMJE. 



Flowers unisexual or polygamous. Perianth dry and calyx-like, of 6 lobes 

 or segments, in 2 distinct series, contorted or valvate in the bud. Stamens 

 6, or rarely more, or 3 only. Anthers versatile, 2-celled. Pistil usually of 

 3 carpels, free or united in a 3 -celled ovaiy. Ovules solitary or rarely 2 in 

 each cell, erect. Stigmas 3, usually sessile, undivided. Fruit either a 3-celled 

 or 1 -celled drupe or berry, or of three distinct drupes or berries. Seed erect 

 or laterally attached. Embryo small, in a cavity near the outside of a hard 

 albumen. — Stems woody, usually simple, and often attaining a great height. 

 Leaves large, usually at the summit of the stem, folded in the bud, and pin- 

 nately or palmately divided. Flowers usually sessile, in simple or paniculate 

 spikes, enclosed when young in large sheathing bracts, called spathas, and 

 usually with 3 small bracts or bracteoles under each flower. 



A large tropical Order, with a very few extratropical species in the warmer parts of the 

 northern or southern hemispheres. 



Leaves pinnate. Ovary 3-celled. 



Stems climbing. Ovary and fruit covered with imbricate scales . , , 1. Calamus. 



Stem erect. Ovary and fruit without scales 2. Phcenix. 



Leaves palmate. Ovaries 3, distinct 3. Rhapis. 



1. CALAMUS, Linn. 



Flowers dioecious. Outer perianth 3-lobed, inner of 3 segments. Stamens 6. 

 Ovary 3-celled, with erect ovules. Stigmas 3, sessile or on a short style. Fruit 

 closely covered with reflexed imbricated shining scales. — Stems weak, often 

 climbing to an immense height. Leaves pinnate, the rhachis and sheaths 

 usually armed with straight or hooked prickles, and often ending in a long 

 armed simple tendril. Flowers in long drooping panicles below or amongst 

 the leaves. 



A considerable genus, chiefly Asiatic, extending also into tropical Africa and Australia, 

 and comprising the greater number of the Rattan Palms or Rotangs. 



Wright gathered one specimen of a species of this genus in the island, but I have not 

 seen it ; it may be the same species as the one mentioned by Seemann (Bot. Her., 416), 

 doubtfully as a species of Zalacca. The leaf in Ranee's collection appears to me to be that 

 of a Calamus rather than of a Zalacca, but it is insufficient to determine the species. 

 Dr. Hance writes to me that he believes there are three Calami in the island. 



2. PHCENIX, Linn. 



Flowers dioecious. Outer perianth cup-shaped, 3 -toothed; inner one of 

 3 valvate segments. Stamens 6 or 3 ; filaments very short; anthers linear. 



z 2 



