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55. PALMJE. 



Flowers hermaphrodite or polygamous, arranged on a 

 spadix, and besides being covered by the general one or 

 many valved spathaceous envelope, possessing separate 

 perianths. Perianths single, 6-parted in two series ; 

 the divisions of the outer are smaller than those of the 

 inner series, which are often considerably connate. Sta- 

 mens definite, most frequently 6, placed upon the base 

 of the perianth. Ovarium 1-3-celled, cells one ovuled. 

 Fruit baccate or drupaceous with fleshy or fibrous meso- 

 carp. Embryo small, cylindrical, or turbinate, various 

 in its situation, but usually distant from the hilum, en- 

 closed in a hollow of the albumen, and covered by an 

 operculum. Albumen cartilaginous, and either ruminated 

 or with a central (rarely a ventral) cavity, the plumula is 

 scarcely to be seen, and the cotyledonary extremity of 

 the embryo is much enlarged in germination. 



Trees as regards size and general appearance, some- 

 times branched. Stem covered with scales formed by 

 the persistent bases of the leaves, which latter are ter- 

 minal, pinnate, or flabelliform, and plaited in vernation. 

 Spadix branched. 



Geographical Relations. Chiefly intertropical plants, 

 few being found even in the southern parts of the tem- 

 perate zones, and only one species in Europe. 



Properties. The different members of this great 

 family are applied to very various purposes, both food 

 and clothing being afforded by many. The cellular 

 tissue of the trunk of some abounds in amylaceous 

 matter. 



Officinal Plant. 

 Sagus rumphii. 



