40 MONOCOTYLEDONEJE. 



collet, but from the articulations of the stem above. 

 The first roots are only attached to, and specially 

 connected with, the base of the stem ; the superior 

 part of it is supported by monstrous fibres issuing- 

 from the joints, which descend and fix themselves 

 in the ground, acting like buttresses to the weighty 

 head. During the descent of these large roots, it is 

 quite evident that they are prolonged by the pro- 

 trusion of their central parts ; and, what is very 

 remarkable, thin films of cellular matter, similar to 

 the sheaths on the young roots of Cruciferce, or like 

 the liber of other plants, are frequently discharged 

 from the point, like cups one within another, acting, 

 before they fall off, like reservoirs of water for the 

 sustentation of the tender point. This peculiarity 

 was first brought to our notice by our intelligent 

 friends, Messrs. Loddiges, of Hackney. 



The majestic tribe of palms occupies the middle 

 station between herbs and what are properly called 

 trees. Like the latter, they rise to a great height 

 on a regular columnar stem, which, though herba- 

 ceous at first, afterwards becomes ligneous ; but, like 

 some other plants, they have at all times only a 

 single tuft of leaves, without branches or other divi- 

 sion of the axis. 



Some of the palms, it is said, present the extra- 

 ordinary spectacle of being individual plants, pos- 

 sessing but one vital essence, incapable of division, 

 either by the roots, parts of the stem, or in any 

 way save by seed ; which, when it has produced, the 



