Trachy carpus 1 6 9 1 



shaped, averaging ij ft. in length and breadth, deeply cut into numerous linear 

 plicate segments, which are ^ to i in. broad, entire in margin, and bifid at the apex ; 

 petiole about i^ ft. long, trigonous or nearly semicylindric in section, convex above, 

 and flat beneath, with the two margins irregularly serrate or dentate towards the 

 base ; lower sheathing part furfuraceous, and separating into a network of brown 

 fibres. 



Staminate panicles 1 broad, thick, and obtuse, enveloped in a strong stout 

 brownish spathe, at first erect, soon pendent, with arched ramifications ; flowers small, 

 numerous, close together, deep yellow-orange. Pistillate inflorescence smaller, less 

 thick than the staminate one, clothed in an acuminate erect spathe, with distant 

 spreading slender ramifications ; flowers numerous, not close together, small, pale 

 yellow or greenish. Drupe reniform, hollowed on one side. 



This species is variable in habit, the leaves in some individuals being straight 

 and stiff, whilst in others they droop at the tips ; and the petioles show a varying 

 amount of serration. There are no grounds, however, for supposing that there are 

 two forms, corresponding to a supposed Chinese and Japanese origin. Plants which 

 are sold as distinct, under the names Chamcerops excelsa and C. Fortunei, are usually 

 imported seedlings, which have been raised in the Riviera from the same batch 

 of seed. 



1. Var. gracilis, Carriere, in Rev. Hort. xlvii. 220 (1875). Petioles, longer and 

 more slender than in the type, abruptly inflexed ; laminae more deeply divided with 

 narrower segments. The variety was described from a plant in the Jardin des 

 Plantes at Paris, which was obtained from Thibaut and Keteleer's nursery in 1862. 



2. Var. surculosa, Henry (var. nova). Leaves smaller and stiffer than in the 

 type. Dwarf in habit, and freely reproducing itself by suckers like Chamcerops 

 humilis of the Mediterranean region. This peculiar variety, which was obtained a 

 few years ago from Japan by Sir E. G. Loder, is possibly a distinct species. It 

 thrives at Leonardslee, where it has produced flowers; but no fruit has yet been 

 noticed. 



T. Fortunei is a native of the central provinces of China, where it is certainly 

 wild on the hills and lower slopes of the mountains in Szechwan, Hupeh, Kiangsu, 

 and Chekiang. It is everywhere much cultivated, so that it is impossible to define 

 its original distribution in the wild state. It is commonly planted around Shanghai, 

 where it lives unprotected through the severest winters. 2 It is also cultivated on 

 the island of Chusan, whence the name given to it of Chusan palm by Fortune, 3 who 

 saw it growing wild in great perfection near Yen Chow and on the Sung Lo 

 mountain in Chekiang. It is known to the Chinese as Tsung, and is of great 

 economic importance, owing to the large quantity of strong and useful fibre found 

 on the stem at the bases of the leaf-stalks. This fibre, which is similar to the coir 



1 Inflorescences bearing both staminate and pistillate flowers have been noticed by Beccari. The germination of this 

 species is described by Gatin, in Ann. Sc. Nat. (Sot.) iii. figs. 28, 29 (1906). 



2 It is unknown in North China, being killed when planted out at Chefoo and Tientsin. Cf. Gay, in Bull. Soc. Bot. 

 France, viii. 412 (1 86 1). 



Cf. Fortune, Wanderings in China, 53, 54 (1847); Tea Countries, 58, 88, 117, 318 (1852); Residence among the 

 Chinese, 5, 145, 189 (1857) ; and in Card. Chron. 1850, p. 757, and i860, p. 170. 



