460 



Palmacea. 



an indefinite number of stamens. The ovary is superior and 

 composed of 1 to 3 more or less combined 1- or rarely 2-seeded 

 carpels. Fruit drupaceous or nucamentaceous, and often 

 clothed with fibres or imbricated scales. Seeds albuminous, 



Fig. 222. Phoenix dactylifera. 



often large. The Bate Palm mentioned above is best known 

 to us through its dried fleshy fruits, the edible part being the 

 pericarp or seed-vessel. Another fruit produced by a member 

 of this family, and even more familiar than the Date, is the 

 Cocoa-nut, the product of Cocos nucifera. Here the part 

 eaten is the albumen and milk of the seed. The following are 

 some of the best for withstanding the winds and other adverse 

 influences which our climate displays even in Summer. 1. 

 Species with fan-shaped leaves : Sdbal Palmetto, 8. umbra- 



