742 



THE SUBDIVISIONS OF THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 



Palms is indigenous to Europe; Ceroxylon andicola is found in the Andes growing 

 at a lieiglit of 270 metres. Fossil remains are found in the formations of the 

 secondary and tertiary formations. The number of living species is about 1100. 

 Aroidece. — Perennial slants with tubers, rhizomes, and climbing stems which 



Fig. 421.— Aroids. 



1 Arum maculatum. 2 Spadix of A. maculatum, the spathe removed. 3 Fruiting spike of same. ^Inflorescence of Coloeasictr 

 antiquorum. s Basal portion of this inflorescence with part of spathe removed. ^ Ovary of Colocasia antiquorum, * The 

 same in longitudinal section. 8 Columnar andrcecium of same. ^ Ariopsi3 peltata. 2^ 6, 9 nat. size; 1, 3, 4 reduced ; 

 ^, T, 8 enlarged. 



generally bear large foliage-leaves. The flowers are borne on unbranched, fleshy 

 spadices which are inclosed in large, expanded spathes (cf. figs. 421 ^'*'^''); they 

 are unisexual or hermaphrodite. The parts are inserted in whorls of 2 or 3; the 

 perianth-members being inconspicuous and often absent. The andrcecium is very 

 various. In Colocasia antiquorum (fig. 421 *) it consists of a whorl of stamens 



