32 



occurred clusters of four, with two staminate flowers on one 

 side or the other. The staminate flowers were invariably the 

 first to open. Starting at the base of the pendent branch, and 

 following the spiral which includes the flower groups downward 

 to the apex, I found that in each triad the staminate flower 



Fig. 2. The flowers of Archontcphoenix. At left, a portion of a branch of the 

 inflorescence showing the first staminate flower of several triads fully open. The 

 second staminate flower and the pistillate flower in each of these triads are still 

 in the bud, while in some triads no flower has yet expanded February 13, 1929. 

 At right, a portion of a branch of the same inflorescence after all staminate 

 flowers have fallen, showing the pistillate flowers with receptive stigmas Feb- 

 ruary 28. Slightly enlarged. 



which was first encountered on this descending course was al- 

 ways the first to expand. The staminate flower on the side from 

 which the spiral leaves the group never opened until the other 



