742 



THE SUBDIVISIONS OF THE VEGETABLE KINGDOM. 



Palms is indigenous to Europe; Geroxylon 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 periods. The number of living species is about 1100. 



AroifL-ce.—Vereimkil plants with tubers, rhizomes, and climbing stems which 



421.— Aroids. 



1 A7'UMniacidatitm. -fip-ddiK ot A. viaculatum, the spathe removed. ^ Fruitinj^ spike of same. 4 inflorescence of Colocasia 

 antiquorum. 5 Basal portion of this inflorescence with part of spathe removed. 6 Ovary of Colocasia antiquonuii. ?Tlie 

 same in longitudinal section. 8 Columnar undroecium of same. ^ Ariopnit^ peltata. 2^ 6^ 9 nat. size; \ 3^ * 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 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 andrcBcium is very 

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



