noiv in the Ganieiis at Hale Hall. 



55 



within it, which, being contined below, necessarily rises a 

 little above the former. Thus successive circles grow one 

 above the other, by which the vertical increase of the plant is 

 almost without end." This is fully exemplified in the palm 

 at Hale. In 1818 the insertion of the lowest leaf was only 

 about 2 ft. from the ground ; it is now 5 ft. 2 in., and the 

 " spurious stem," as Sir James calls it, is strongly marked by 

 the remains of the former footstalks. These are about 8 ft. 



long from the stem to the base of the frond. The latter 10 ft. 

 across its largest diameter, and 6 ft. 6 in. from the insertion of 

 the footstalk to its apex. The largest fronds, and those whose 

 insertion is about 10 ft. from the ground, are obliged to be 

 tied down, or it would be impossible for the palm to grow, the 

 house being only 21 ft. 6 in, in the centre. The total height 

 of the plant is 22 ft., and the total length of the leaves 16 ft., 

 and their breadth 10 ft. The number of leaves is thirty. 



E 4 



