140 FLORA OF NEW PROVIDENCE AND ANDROS 



with fine longitudinal or oblique impressions, doubtless from the next 

 leaf ; lower surface nearly smooth, very finely grooved longitudinally ; 

 both surfaces covered with a thin layer of waxy scales ; toward the 

 margins are small scattering brownish longitudinal scars, more nu- 

 merous on the upper side ; occasionally there arises from such a scar a 

 narrow scarious ribbon 2 mm.- or less in length ; these evidently corre- 

 spond to the peltate scales of the leaf-bases and petioles of Inodes; 

 margins of petioles thickened, smooth, corneous, in color pinkish 

 brown (vinaceous-cinnamon, Ridgway) at base, and dark brown distad ; 

 teeth somewhat irregularly placed, usually about i cm. apart, but 

 sometimes 2 cm. and sometimes close together or with two points; 

 points commonly curved forward, sometimes straight or curved back- 

 ward ; length about 3-5 mm. ; size decreasing toward the apex of the 

 petiole, but occasional teeth are mere rudiments ; ligule very broadly 

 subtriangular after losing a rather broad, thin, subscarious margin; 

 lateral angles of the ligule coalescing with the margins of the lateral 

 segments as in Thrinax and related genera; each side of this terminal 

 widening of the petiole bears a strongly curved marginal tooth. 



Apex of petiole on the under side, broadly triangular, about 5 mm. 

 long. The oblique edges which subtend the insertion of the segments 

 do not, however, meet in the middle; the middle rib is slightly thicker 

 than the others and has one or two segments inserted on each side 

 beyond the apex of the triangle, so that Paurotis may be said to have 

 passed the stage of Thrinax and to have a true midrib. 



Leaves about 52 cm. long, composed of about 36 segments; middle 

 segments longest, the lateral shortened nearly by half. Segments 

 united for about 20 cm. in the middle of the leaf, but only for i to 3 

 cm. at the sides. The segments are split 20 cm. or less from the tips. 

 The margins of the notch are somewhat thickened, but there is no fiber 

 like that of Inodes. The edges of the ribs both above and below are 

 nearly square, and bear along the angles rows of irregularly placed 

 brown scars like those of the margins of the petiole. Both surfaces of 

 the leaf have a thin film of wax. There are from 8 to 11 longitudinal 

 veinlets larger than the others and i mm. or more apart ; between these 

 are similar numbers of finer equal veinlets, the middle one sometimes 

 slightly larger ; oblique veinlets distinct, but very fine, not close. 



Inflorescence 80-90 cm. long, the main axis bearing from 9 to 10 

 tubular spathes. Base of inflorescence flattened and the lower spathe 

 with compressed, winglike margins. The spathes are open only at 

 the bilabiate apex. 



