PALMS. 371 



to three feet in circumference. When the tree gets old, 

 numerous aerial roots, all covered with spines, begin to 

 appear, forcibly reminding one of the Iriartea exorrhiza 

 in tropical America. The leaves are from ten to twelve 

 feet long, pinnatifid, and the segments four feet long 

 and two inches broad. Before expanding they are per- 

 fectly erect, looking like a pole inserted into the heart 

 of the foliage ; their petiole and midrib and veins are 

 in that stage densely covered with a very short brown 

 tomentum, which more or less disappears as the foliage 

 advances in age. The flowers appear below the crown 

 of the leaves, growing out of the old wood ; they are 

 enveloped in thick coriaceous boat-shaped spathes, which, 

 unlike those of the Sakiki (Pritchardia pacifica, Seem, et 

 Wendl.), are not subject to rapid decay. The spadix, on 

 which the minute monoecious green flowers are inserted, 

 is much branched, and the branches are " yarring," 

 forming large bunches, which, when loaded with ripe 

 fruit, are rather weighty. As many as eight of these 

 bunches are often seen on a tree at one time in various 

 stages of development. The fruit is ovate, acuminate, 

 and about the size of a walnut. At first green, it gra- 

 dually changes into bright orange, and ultimately merges 

 into red at the base. The kernel has a slight astrin- 

 gent taste, and is eaten by the natives, especially by the 

 youngsters. The wood is used for spars. Fine specimens 

 of the tree, brought by Mr. Moore from New Caledonia, 

 and by me from Fiji, are cultivated at the Sydney Bo- 

 tanic Garden. 



The Niu Niu, or as it is more commonly termed, Cagi- 

 cake (Ptychosperma jiliferum, Wendl.), is found in the 



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