CHAPTER XVII: THE PALMS AND THE 



PALMETTOS 



Family PALMyt 



The Palm family is a large group of tropical flowering plants, 

 related to lilies on one side and grasses on the other. Like both 

 of these, palms have but one cotyledon (seed leaf) in the embryo, 

 and the stem is composed of a hardened outer layer within which 

 is a mass of felt-like tissue in which longitudinal bundles of tough 

 wood cells are irregularly distributed. Growth is internal, about 

 these bundles as centres not external, from a cambium. The 

 parts of the flowers are regularly in threes, as in the lilies. The 

 leaves are parallel veined, and they sheathe the stem, as in the 

 grasses. They are fan shaped or feather shaped. 



Palms are allied closely to the Arums, of which our jack-in- 

 the-pulpit is a familiar representative. Both families have 

 monoecious flowers borne separately on different parts of 

 a central spadix, surrounded by a conspicuous spathe, or 

 sheath. Both families have berry-like fruit, sometimes hard- 

 ened outside. 



Of palms there are now recognised over one hundred genera 

 and about one thousand species. Botanically, the family is an 

 old one, and on the decline. Fossils of Tertiary rocks show what 

 it was in its prime. Three hundred and sixty distinct and impor- 

 tant uses are credited to palms by Evelyn. No human need but 

 they supply in the primitive life of tropical people. In the com- 

 merce of the world they play no mean part. In the tropics, houses 

 are built and furnished throughout from the native palms. Their 

 leaves thatch the walls and roofs. They supply thread for weaving 

 cloth, ropes, fish nets and lines, mats, fans, shields and hats. 

 Spines furnish needles and barbed fishhooks. Sap gives wine, 

 sugar and wax. Stems give fresh salads and sago for food, and 

 wands for basketwork and furniture. Fruits of palms include 

 cocoanuts, dates, and some of these yield chocolate and valuable 

 oils. 



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