PIIYTOLOGY. 301 



1632. The main bulk of the stalk will consist of 

 trachea?. 



1633. As the tracheae are longitudinal organs, and 

 the other tissues also extend lengthways, so does the 

 stalk or stem in these plants predominate over the other 

 parts. 



1634. In this class the most perfect leaves as regards 

 their present stage are developed ; for they are only ex- 

 pansions of the tracheae, which are here present in super- 

 abundance. As regards the form also, these leaves must 

 rank higher than those of the preceding class ; the 

 spathe is shorter, the leaf itself usually broad, many- 

 ribbed, and frequently pinnate. The leaves are also 

 perfect as to position, being no longer mere radical 

 leaves, but situated upon the stalk, even on its apical 

 extremity. 



1635. The ramification gradually emerges into view, 

 where forsooth its occurrence is possible in the shaft- 

 plants, or in the inflorescence. It is always multiple in 

 character, mostly spadici-, muscari-, and paniculiforin. 



1636. As regards the blossom the ovarium is most 

 perfectly evolved, because it is developed out of the 

 stalk ; it is ternary and becomes elevated into a fruit 

 with few seeds. 



1637. The corolla are frequently stunted, yet regular 

 and 2 X 3ary, though insignificant on account of the 

 preponderance in size of the fruit. 



1638. In this class we meet, with the first true or 

 genuine fruits ; because in it for the first time the three 

 anatomical systems are completely separated. 



1639. Plants having a ligneous stalk, free and many- 

 ribbed leaves, ramified inflorescence and ternary fleshy 

 fruits, are the Palmacete. The Palmacese have a woody, 

 very hollow stem, with many-ribbed, divided, and often 

 pinnate leaves ; a muscariform inflorescence lodged in 

 spathes, sexanary corollas with nuts, berries, or drupes. 

 With the palms are associated the Typhaceas, Aroidese, 

 Piperales, Pandanales, Dioscoreae, Smilacese, Asparagi, 

 Convallariae, and Bromeliae ; for their stalks are mostly 



