742 



THE SUBDIVISIONS OF THK 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 formations. The number of living species is about 1100. 

 AroidecB. — Perennial t)lants with tubers, rhizomes, and climbing stems which 



Fig. J21.— Avoids. 



^ Arttmmacitlatum. 2 Spadix of ^. ?jmcr(/a(!(»i, the spathe removed. 3 Fruiting spike of same. * Inflorescence of Colocasia 

 antvjtwnim. 5Bas.al portion of this inflorescence with pai-t of spathe removed, covary of Colocasia antv]Uontm. 'I'he 

 same in longitudinal section, s Columnar andrcecium of same. ^ Ariopiu peltata. 2, s, 9 nat. size; i,^< reduced; 

 ^, '. 8 enlalged. 



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

 spadices which are inclosed in large, expanded spathes (c/. figs. 421 >•*•'■*); they 

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

 perianth-membei-s being inconspicuous and often absent. The andro?cium is very 

 various. In Coloccisia antiquorum (fig. 421 *) it con.sists of a whorl of stamens 



