Z. scortechinii. ZALACCA. ! 97 
The pulp, or integument of the seed, whieh is intensely acid, is eaten by the 
Malays. It receives the names of “Asam Paya” and “Kelubi” (Ridley). Griffith 
says that it is the " Asam-Koomber" of Penang, and the " Asam-pajah” of the 
Malays of Malacca. The same sagacious author adds: ‘I have not yet ascertained 
what distinction is indicated by the two Malayan names bestowed on this species, 
from which it is probable, at least so experience tells me, that there are two 
distinct kinds, both presenting the same unusual sort of inflorescence, which is 
analogous to that of the genus Elaeis. ” x 
The “ Kelubi”, by Griffith supposed a separate species, may be that described 
here below, or perhaps the male plant. 
Osservarions.—It is a very distinct Palm, differing in some important 
characters from the typical Zalaccas, but especially in the fruit, which I have 
found constantly with only one seed, enveloped by a very copious integument, and 
having the nucleus discoid, horizontally evolute, and showing a broad and shallow 
apical chalazal fovea, instead of the usual narrow channel penetrating deeply into 
substance of the albumen. Further Z. conferta is characterized by its leaves 
regularly pinnate, having alternate, equidistant, straight, ^ oblanceolate-ensiform, 
concolorous leaflets; by the female spadices erect, rigid, short and dense, bearing 
glabrous, subsquarrose spikes; by the densely aggregate turbinate fruits, having 
polished, deeply grooved seales with bluntish appressed tips. 
Most probably Z. conferta is (in the same way as the true Zalacca) a 
dioecious Palm, and its male plant is unknown. Griffith writes: ‘That the 
spadices have polygamous. spikes on different individuals", but apparently he, like 
myself, had opportunity to dissect only female’ spadices, which appear polygamous, 
but most probably their male flowers (although apparently normally evolute), have 
only sterile anthers. If the male spadix had not (as is the general rule in all 
Zalaccas) two equal male flowers at each spathel, this (added to its other special 
characters) would be another good argument for considering Z. conferta as the 
representative of a distinct genus. 
Pratt 60.—Zalacca conferta Grifi.—Female spadix (in two halves) bearing 
spikes with not fully developed flowers ; detached spike with young fruits ;. 
portion of the head formed by the mature fruits ; one fruit cut open vertically 
showing the solitary seed entire and in situ ; vertical section of the fruit cut 
through the seed ; half the pericarp, showing its cavity ; seeds cut vertically into 
halves. From P. B. No. 249 in Herb. Beccari. The fruits from specimens in 
alcohol. 
x 
13.  ZaLaAccA ScortecHINI Bece. sp. n. 
Description.—Apparently a smaller plant than Z. conferta. Leaves having a 
subterete petiolar part, 1:5 m. long, 1 cm. thick (in one specimen), armed with 
few, distant, scattered, solitary, rigid spines, 10—15 mm. long, apparently only some 
of the lowest being confluent ; the rhachis, in its intermediate part, is bifaced 
above, rounded below, where it is armed along the centre with a line of small, 
distant, ascendent prickles. Leaflets numerous, equidistant, 5—7 cm. apart on each 
side of the rhachis, green and dull on both surfaces, distinctly sigmoid, equally 
ANN. Roy. Bot. GARD., CALCUTTA, VOL. XII. 
