156 BOTANY. [CHAP. iv. 



against living enemies, during the early stage of develop- 

 ment, in fact in many instances until the flowers are 

 ready for fertilization. The involucre in Composite has 

 been already described. In the group of Monocotyle- 



Fig. 45. Tornelia Fragrans, sometimes known by the name Mon- 

 stera deliciosa, a plant belonging to the Aroid family, showing the 

 large spathe covering the inflorescence. The fleshy spadix or stalk of 

 the inflorescence bearing perfumed and well-tasted fruits is constantly 

 sold in Mexican markets, where it rivals the pine-apple in estimation. 

 The leaves are very large, deeply cut into narrow segments, and 

 towards the centre irregularly perforated. (Much reduced. ) 



dons the inflorescence is frequently protected by a single 

 large floral-bract called & spathe; this structure is well 

 seen in the palms, where it is frequently very large, 

 inclosing in some species a single inflorescence bearing 

 nearly 300,000 flowers. The spathe is also highly evolved 



