504 MUSACEM. [ Ravenala, 
Il. MONOCOTYLEDONS. 
MUSACEA. 
Flowers hermaphrodite or hermaphrodite-unisexual, irregular. 
Perianth superior, corolla-like, 6-parted, in 2 distinct rows, the outer - 
perianth 3-phyllous, the inner 3 segments developed, or the 2 peri- 
anths united into 2 lip-like segments. Stamens 6, adnate to the base 
of the perianth or free, or often the posticous stamen abortive ; anthers 
linear, 2-celled, turned inwards. Ovary inferior, 3-celled, with many. - 
or rarely a solitary ovule in each cell; style simple ; stigma usually 
3-lobed. Fruit either a 3-celled woody capsule opening loculicidally 
or succulent and indehiscent or irregularly bursting. Seeds usually 
imbedded in pulp, or rarely with a hair-like arillus, the testa usually 
crustaceous. Albumen mealy. Embryo straight, oblong-linear or 
mushroom-shaped. 
A small order of great economical importance, but of little value 
to the forester. It contains only a single woody tree, the rest being 
either low or tree-like tall herbs. The plantains and banana 
are we own as nutritive fruits, and many, if not all, of the 
species of Musa yield more or less valuable fibre, amongst which the 
Manilla hemp (Musa textilis) is best known in commerce. Th 
juice of most plantains may be used for blackening leather, ete. 
RAVENALA, Sonn. 
Perianth-segments 6, the outer ones equal with the frontal one, 
keeled, the inner somewhat smaller, the lateral ones approximate, 
equal, embracing the genitals, the posticous almost conform an 
somewhat shorter. Stamens 6, all perfect. Ovary inferior, 3-celled, 
with numerous horizontal ovules attached in 2 series to the mnet 
angle of the cells; style rather strong; stigma funnel-club-shaped. 
Capsule woody, loculicidally 3-valved. Seeds numerous, depressed 
globular, with a blue hairlike-divided arillus. Albumen almost 
bony. Embryo straight, mushroom-shaped.—Trees, with lo 
petioled sheathing simple leaves arranged distichously like a fan. 
_ Flowers bracteoled, clustered in the axils of the cymbiform alter- 
nately distichous spathes. 
1. R. Madagascariensis, Sonn.—An evergreen palm-like tree 
(12—30 + 6—20-+2—3), all parts glabrous, the trunk annulate, 
grey ; leaves distichous and much crowded at the apex of the trunk, 
elongate-oblong, on a 3-5 ft. long petiole long-sheathing at the base, 
unequally cordate at the base, and as long or more usually shorter 
than the petiole, coriaceous, smooth, and glossy on both sides; 
