830 



XXIX. FEEYCINETIE^. 



each strip become revolute, giving it a cylindrical shape, which- greatly increases its solidity. The price 

 of these hats varies singularly ; the commonest are sold for Is. 6d., those of medium quality are worth 5s. ; 

 a fine one will fetch SI. 2s. 6d. to 5/. 4s. 2rf. ; but some are made of so fine a tissue that they are sold at 

 the enormous price of 201. 16s. 8d. The straw of Carhidomca is also used in the manufacture of cigar- 

 cases. 



XXIX. FREYCINETIEJE, Brongniart. 



Frtycinetia Banksii. 



Vertical section of a group of 



stamens enclosing tlie abortive 



pistil. 



Freycinetia imbricata. 



Transverse section of 



fruit (mag.). 



F. Banksii. 



Ovary accompanied by 



sterile stamens. 



Freycinetia. 



Seed, entire and cut vertically 



(mag.). 



Stem often rooting or sarmentose, rarely arborescent, witli the habit of 

 Pandanus. Leaves narrow, sheathing, amplexicaul below, with parallel nerves, 

 denticulate or sub- spinous on their edge and dorsal face, equitant in aestivation. 

 Infloeescence terminal, rarely lateral ; spathes usually yellow or red. Spadix 

 polygamo-dicecious, simple, entirely covered with naked flowers. — rLOWEKS ^ in a 

 tuft, often grouped around an abortive ovary. Stamens oo ; filaments filiform, 

 isolated or in groups of 2-3 ; anthers 2-celled.- — Flowees ? : Ovaeies numerous, 

 1-celled, many-ovuled, accompanied at the base with sterile stamens, which are 

 isolated or agglomerated in bundles of 3-4-oo ; stigmas sessile, distinct; ovules 

 anatropous, ascending, 2-seriate on 3 parietal placentas, linear, alternating with the 

 stigmas. Beeeies aggregated, 1-celled, several-seeded. Seeds minute, sunk in a 

 colourless pulp, erect on short funicles ; testa membranous, smooth or striate ; raphe 

 lateral, more or less developed, and strophiolate ; albumen fleshy, dense. Embeto 

 minute, straight ; radicle near the hilum, and inferior. 



ONLY GENUS. 

 Freycinetia. 



Freyctnetiece are distinguished from Pandaneee by their ovaries with three many-ovuled placentas, 

 and the baccate lower part of the fruit. Like Pandaneee they inhabit the lai-ge islands of the [Malayan 

 Archipelago,] Pacific Ocean, Norfolk Island, New Zealand and North Australia. 



