MONOCOTYLEDONS. 339 



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

 sexual. 



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



CXXII, Cyperace^. Leaf-sheaths entire. Each flower usually in the axil of one gliunc, 

 without a palea. 



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

 secondary bract (palea), within the glume. 



OitDER CIV. PALM^. 



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. OviJes solitaiy 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 thi-ee 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 sheatliing bracts, called spatlias, and 

 usually with 3 small bracts or bracteoles under each flow^er. 



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 fmit covered with imbricate scales ... 1. Calamus. 



Stem erect. Ovary and fi-uit without scales 2. Phgenix. 



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. — Steins weak, often 

 climbing to an immense height. Leaves pinnate, the riiachis 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 ^»a^'^ "ot 

 seen it; it may be the same species as the one mentioned by Secmaini (Bot. Her 410), 

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

 of a Calamus rather than of a Zaiacca, but it is insufiicicnt to dctonnme the species. 

 Dr. Hance wTites to me that he beUeves there ai'e 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 ; fdaments very short; anthers linear. 

 ^ z 2 



