56 



Sabal Blackbiirniii, at Hale Hall. 



The annexed drawing {fig. 10.) may serve to convey some 

 idea of the pahn ; but it is by no means satisfactory, as it is 

 impossible, on so small a scale, to do it justice. It will be 

 evident, also, that, in order to show the flowers and fruit, I 

 have been obliged to exhibit only a few leaves, and those in 

 so stiff and formal a manner, as to destroy the graceful and 

 magnificent appearance of the plant itself. A sketch I made 

 in May, 1818, {Jig. 11.) will give a better idea of the number 

 of leaves. 



The mode of inflorescence may be described, pretty accu- 

 rately, in the words of the distinguished naturalist just alluded 

 to. " Flower stalks much branched, invested with one large 

 common sheath, and many partial ones." 



A large upright spathe is deeply inserted in the centre, at 

 the base of the footstalks, protruding through that fibrous tex- 

 ture so peculiar to the palm. Out of this the principal flower 

 stalk arises, forming a panicle 3 ft. high, and 4 ft. in diameter 

 at the base. The appearance of the flower is graceful; the 

 curves of the spiculae intermingling with each other, adding to 

 its beauty. 



The flowers {fig. 12. a) are sessile; they are hermaphro- 

 dite, hexandrous, and mono- 

 gynous. The corolla {b) is 

 tripetalous ; the petals oval, 

 concave, and beautifully white, 

 but very small. 



The filaments of the stamens 

 are white, with bright orange- 

 coloured cordate anthers, (c) 

 The pistil is canaliculate, di- 

 vided into three at its base, 

 and has a blunt stigma {d). 



The calyx is three-cleft, 

 green at its base, but softening 

 into a delicate white {e). Each 

 apex is tinged with reddish- 

 brown, so as to be distinctly visible. 



The three germs {f\ are coadunate and monospermous. 

 One of these only, in almost every instance, comes to perfec- 

 tion. The others decay, ejected by the growth and increase 

 of the fruitful division of the germ. 



The berry is globular, about two inches and three-eighths in 

 circumference, filled with albumen, finally becoming hard, or 

 horny. The embryo very small. The whole has very much 

 the appearance of an immense bunch of large grapes, {fig. 13.) 



