742 



THE SUBDIVISIONS OF THE VEGETABLE KINGDOftT. 



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

 at a height 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.—Tevenmal xAants with tubers, rhizomes, and climbing stems which 



Fig. 421.— Avoids. 



1 Ai-um mamlatum. 2 Spadix of .4. moinilatom, tlie spathe removed, a Fruiting spike of same. * Inflorescence of Colocasid 

 antiguorum. 5 Basal portion of tliis inflorescence witli part of spatlie removed. ^ Ovary of Coloeasia antiquorum. 1 The 

 same in longitudinal section, s Columnar androecium of same. ^Ariopsis peltata. ^, *, » nat. size; \ ^ *reduced; 

 «, 7, 8 enlarged. 



genera,lly bear large foliage-leaves. ' The flowers are borne on unbranched, fleshy 

 spadices ..which are inclosed in large, expanded spathes (c/. figs. 421 1'*-^'^); they 

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

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

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



