rT 
XV. On the Palms f JVestern Tropical dpi 
By Gustav Mann and HERMANN WENDYAND. 
Communicated by J. D. HOOKER, Esq., M.D., F.R.S., VP LBs 96. 86. 
(Plates XXXVIIL-XLIII.) 
Read December 3rd, 1863, 
Our knowledge of the Palms of Western Tropical Africa is, in comparison with other 
parts of the world, very limited, as there are but five species described up to the present 
time, viz. Phenix spinosa, Thonn., Calamus secundiflorus, P. de B., Raphia vinifera, 
P. de B., Borassus ZEthiopum, Mart., and Eleis Guineensis, Jacq. 
All these species have been re-found by one of us, and in addition twelve others, which 
are even of more importance than the former in a botanical point of view ; and perfect 
specimens of all have been collected, with the exception of a few the difference between 
which was not recognized on the spot. 
Before speaking in detail, we wish to tender our warmest thanks to Sir W. J. Hooker, 
of the Royal Gardens, Kew, for the materials so kindly placed at our disposal to 
enable us to publish the following synopsis; and more especially am I (Mann) indebted 
to him, for it was only through his instrumentality that I was enabled to travel in 
Western Africa; and for this and his continued kindness I wish publicly to express my 
gratitude. 
The group of Arecinee have, up to the present time, been quite unknown on the 
mainland of Africa; now, however, two species have been discovered, constituting two 
new genera, viz. Podococeus and Sclerosperma. 
Popococcus, Mann & Wendl., is distinguished at first sight from all other genera by 
its pedicellate ovary and by its fruit, which, when mature, stands at almost right angles 
with the pedicel, and is, in comparison with its diameter, with the exception of Areca 
Paradoxa, Griff. (Kentia paradoxa, Mart.), the longest in the whole group. The flowers 
are inserted in depressions of the spadix, which might lead, on a casual view, to the sup- 
position that it belonged to the Geonome with undivided spadices ; but minute examina- 
tion at once proves its generic difference, which shows itself particularly in the position 
of the flowers in each depression ; for in Geonoma, Willd., and the genera separated from 
Geonoma, such as Calyptrogyne, Herm. Wendl., and Calyptronoma, Grsb. & Wendl., the 
female flowers are hidden under two male flowers, by which this group is at once distin- 
guished from other Arecinee (except Caryota), in which the male flowers, if přesent, are 
‘situated behind the female flower. The leaflets are very similar to those of Ceratolobus 
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