408 



Mr. G. Clarke on the Coco de Mer. 



skin entirely smooth : about half-way between the spiracles and the 

 posterior terminations of the pectoral fin are situated two large ill- 

 defined tubercles, one on each side of the body ; two dorsal fins 

 situated very far back on the tail ; anterior dorsal entirely behind 

 the ventrals ; height of anterior dorsal 2 inches 5 lines, breadth at 

 base 1 inch 2 lines ; length of posterior dorsal 1 inch 3 lines, breadth 

 at base 10 lines; pectoral fins scarcely lobed posteriorly. (Colour.) 

 Uniform blackish brown above, greyish white beneath. 



Differs from the T. Narke, T. immaculata, T. unimaculata, 

 and T. Bancroftii, in being of a uniform brownish black above, 

 not spotted as in those species ; from the T. Galvani and T. 

 marmorata (Riss.) it will be distinguished by the edges of the 

 spiracles being smooth, and entirely wanting the tooth-like 

 processes with which the spiracles of those species are pro- 

 vided ; it is likewise much more slender than any of those 

 species. The specific characters are of course peculiar. The 

 specimen was taken in Dublin bay. 



XLVII. — Some further particulars of the Coco de Mer 

 (Lodoicea sechellarum). By George Clarke, Esq.* 



The germ sprouts indifferently, from either side of the cleft 

 between the lobes, turning downwards in shooting, as repre- 

 sented in this section. It suffices for its ve- 

 getation that it be placed on the earth ; it is 

 not necessary that it be covered, but a shady 

 situation is indispensable. It puts forth only 

 one leaf a year, in general ; but there are in- 

 stances, it is said, in which two are produced ; they are, how- 

 ever, exceedingly rare. The leaf at its first appearance is 

 folded together in a most compact manner, so as to resemble 

 a solid piece. This is moreover guarded by a thick downy 



* To this gentleman we were indebted for the account given in p. 422 

 of the Annals. In the 54th volume of the Botanical Magazine, at tab. 

 2734, will be found a long and interesting account of this Palm, drawn up 

 by Sir Wm. Hooker, from the communications of Mr. Harrison, who has 

 been long resident at the Seychelles. 



