Z. conferta. ZALACCA. 95 
HanrrAT.—Borneo; at Kuching in Sarawak (Beccari). 
OssERvaATIONS.— The fruits of this species are very much like those of Zalacca 
affinis, of which Z. borneensis probably represents only a geographical form. The 
fruits of Z. borneensis, however, differ from those of Z. affinis in having the scales 
larger and disposed in 18 (and not in 24-26) vertical series. 
PLatE 59(B).—Zalacca borneensis Bece.—Three fruits at the bottom and on the . 
right hand side of the plate, one cut open to show two of the three seeds in 
situ; a third seed cut longitudinally through the embryo and the apical pit. From 
specimens in alcohol (Herb. Beccari). 
12. Zauacca CONFERTA Griff. 11 Cale. Journ. Nat. Hist. v, 16: Palms Brit 
Ind. 19, p. CLXXX, A.B,.C.; Mart. Hist. Nat. Palm. ii, 201, p. 173, 
174, Z. XIII, f. XXIX, and pl. Z. XXII, £ XIII; Booo. Malesia. 
iu, 045 Hook -L PL Brit. Ind, vi, 473; Ridley, Mat. Fl. Mal 
Penins, i 109. 
Description.—A gregarious palm, dioecious? (or polygamous on different indi- 
viduals—Griff.). Stem stout and very short. Leaves large, 5—6 m. long or more, 
including the petiole; the petiole alone about half the length of the pinniferous 
part, subterete, flattish above, of a soft structure internally, and consequently 
boldly wrinkled longitudinally in the herbarium specimens, armed with slender 
needle-like, light colouréd or schistaceous spines, 4—5 cm. long and only 1—1°5 mm. 
broad at their bases, closely approximate in short transverse series; the rhachis 
is trigonous and armed throughout on its lower surface with the same kind of 
spines as the petiole. but more slender, and in smaller fascicles. Leaflets numer- 
ous, equidistant, alternate, green on both surfaces, very slightly paler beneath, 
very narrowly. oblanceolate-ensiform, gradually attenuate below from above the 
middle to a straight (not sigmoid) base, and upwards to an acuminate, symme- 
trical or very slightly faleate apex; main nerves or costae 3, more or less bristly- 
spinulous on the upper surface towards the apex, where the margins are also 
spreadingly setose, otherwise smooth; transverse veinlets numerous, very sharp; the 
leaflets of the upper third part of the rhachis are 60—65 cm. long, 5 cm. wide; 
those above are gradually smaller, and all are individually distinet ; only the two 
leaflets of the end, which are the smallest, are shortly united by their bases. 
Male spade >“. ie Female (or polygamous) spadix erect, composed of several, 
short approximate branehes, each bearing 1—2 shortly stalked spikes, forming by 
their union a dense ovoid mass, 30—40 em. long. Primary outer spathes 
papyraceous, sheathing in their basal part, unclosed and broadening above into a 
lanceolate. slightly spinous limb, prolonged ‘into a very. elongate, thickish. gradu- 
ally acuminate point, which, occasionally, bears rudimentary leaflets at its apex; 
inner spathes smaller, membranous, very finely long-acuminate. Spikes erect, cylin- 
drical, 12—14 cm. long, 2 cm. in diameter (when in flower), of a squarrose 
appearance since.the spathels, at first connate and ring-like, soon separate and 
are kept gaping by the enlargement of the flowers; spathels rigid, very sharply 
striately veined, with the veins converging to a broad obsolete point. Flowers 
in pairs at each spathel, one of which, a female, has the appearance of 
