CGI 



XVI. On Branched Palms in Southern India. By S. Pijlney Andy, M.D., F.L.S., fyc 



Travancore. 



Read November 21st, 18C>7. 



(Plate LI.) 



TlIE figures contained in the accompanying Plate represent Branched Palmyra and 

 Cocoa-nut trees, as well as monstrosities of flowers of these Palms, as particularized hclow. 



Plate LI. fig. 1 represents a ramification in Palmyra (Borassus Jlabelliformls) possessing 

 entire branches and fonr abortive — two on either side. 



Fig. 2 represents a ramification in Borassus flabelliformis, principally into two, but in 



one instance into three branches. 

 Fig. 3 (on the extreme right) represents a dichotomous 



(O 



>us division in a Cocoa-nut Palm 

 if era). Just above the bifurcation the trunk is narrow, and below it there are 



two or three holes, caused by the burrowing of insects, by which the original leaf-bud 

 lias been destroyed. 



The woodcut, fig. 1, represents the flower-stalk of a Cocoa-nut, exhibiting the evolution 

 of vernal leaves from a division of the spadix. The greater portion of the flower-buds 

 in this tree possess this tendency; and the fruits thus formed do not attain to any per- 

 fection, but dry and wither away, together with the leaves, within a month after their 

 formation. In each spadix there are, on an average, forty of these shoots of vernal leaves. 



Fig. 1. 



Fig. 2. 



Palmy 



Woodcut, fig. 2, represents a monstrosity of a male flower «. « 



■ **y peculiar and rare. The specimen from which the drawing is taken is kept 



Thi 



S 



Hmiu temple ; and it was with great difficulty I was permitted to take the sketeh of it 



VAT ~_ ^ 4 Z 



VOL. XXVI. 



