742 



THE SUBDIVISIONS OF THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 



Palms is indigenous to Europe; Ceroxylon andicola is found in the Andes growing 

 at a height of 270 metres. Fossil remains are found in the formations of the 

 Secondary and Tertiary periods. The number of living species is about 1100. 



Aroidece. — Perennial jilants witli tubers, rhizomes, and climbing stems which 



iriim maculatnin. - Spadix of A. maculatum, the spathe removed. '■^ Fruiting spike of same. ^ inflorescence of Colocasia 

 antiquorum. s Basal portion of this inflorescence with part of spathe renioveil. ^Ovary of Colocasia antiqiiorum. 'The 

 same in longitudinal section, s Columnar androecium of same. ^ Ariopsis peltata. s^ «, » nat. size; i, 3, 4 reduced ; 

 ", ', 8 enlarged. 



generally bear large foliage-leaves. The flowers are borne on unbranched, fleshy 

 spadices which are inclosed in large, expanded spathes (c/. figs. 421 1-*-^-^); they 

 are unisexual or hermaphrodite. The parts are inserted in whorls of 2 or 3; the 

 perianth-members being inconspicuous and often absent. The andrrecium is very 

 various. In Colocasia antiquorum (fig. 421 ^) it consists of a whorl of stamens 



