MONOCOTYLEDONS QT 
large pith, which is filled with starch; and sometimes, it 
is said, as much as 700 pounds of pith are obtained from 
a single tree. This starch reaches Europe and America in 
the form of sago. 
The list of palms and of their uses is a very long one; 
but the illustrations given will show that the family con- 
sists of forms used for the greatest variety of purposes by 
millions of people. 
159. Lilies—In the structure of its flowers the Lily 
Family (Liliacew) may be regarded as the typical family 
of Monocotyledons. With three as the definite flower 
number, with a 
brightly colored 
and often  con- 
spicuous corolla 
or perianth, and 
with the ovary 
superior (§ 138), 
there is no rea- 
son why most of 
the members of 
the family should 
not be recognized 
easily (Fig. 274). 
Nearly all of 
them are terres- 
trial herbs; and 
they are notably 
forms with bulbs, rootstocks, ete., which enable them to 
put up rapidly at the coming of a favorable season. The 
family is better known for its beauty than for its usefulness. 
Among the well-known wild and cultivated forms are tril- 
liums, lily-of-the-valley, numerous true lilies, tulips, dog-tooth 
violet (Fig. 219), star of Bethlehem, and hyacinth; while 
asparagus and onion are the most common useful forms. 
Fic. 274.—The white or Ma- 
donna lily: <A, flower- 
cluster; b, flower.—Af- 
ter BAILLoNn. 
