146 



dozen leaves in various stages of development. (See Fig. 1 of Plate 6 

 in which all the roots are cut off except two.) 



The flowering part is not at all like that of palms, but comes much 

 nearer that of the Aroid family which includes cocoes, five-finger, and 

 Caladium. From the base of the plant arises the flowering portion en- 

 closed at first in 3 or 4 spathes somewhat like a cob of corn. (See 

 centre of Fig 1 of Plate 6). When the spathes are drawn back, we 

 find a mass of thickish, yellow threads (Fig. 2 of Plate 6). For closer 

 examination, we must cut off the flowering part, and then divide it 

 lengthwise down the middle. There are well defined spots from each 

 of which four of the long threads proceed. If one of these is picked 

 out with the point of a pocket knife, and looked at with a magnifying 

 glass (Figs 2 and 3 of Plate 7) it will be seen that there are four petals, 

 and iour stigmas like a cross in the centre of the pistil. Cut across the 

 lower part of the pistil, and also vertically, and the ovules will be seen 

 (Figs. 4 and 5 of Plate 7). There are no stamens, but the long threads 

 are opposite to the petals. Now examine the spaces between these pis- 

 tillate flowers, carefully digging out with the point of the knife, and 

 it will be found that there are four staminate flowers together (Fig. 6 

 of plate 7) — each has numerous petals and numerous staments (Figs. 7, 

 8 of Plate 7). Fertilisation no doubt takes place by insects walking 

 over the surface, and scattering the pollen on the stigmas. As the 

 fruiting stage comes on, the stalk grows to a height of 2 feet or more, 

 the threads die off, (Fig. 10 of Plate 7) then as the ripening takes 

 place, the ripe portion } eels off from the central core, is pecked at by 

 birds, and the seeds which are embedded in orange- scarlet pulp are by 

 their agency dispersed (Fig 1 of Plate 7), 



The Ippi-appa plant is a species of Carludovica ( C. jamaicensis, 

 Lodd). There are 40 species of Carludovica, all natives of Central 

 America, South America and the W. Indies. 



The family — Cyclanthacese, to which Carludovica belongs, is only 

 found in the New World. As has been said above, it is not a tribe of 

 Palms, but is more nearly related to the Aroid family, the Bulrush 

 family and the Screw Pine family, with all of which it agrees in hav- 

 ing the flowers arranged on a spadix, differing in having the spadix 

 surrounded by several spathes, and in the character of the leaf. 



Carludovica palmata, which grows in the damp forests of Ecuador, 

 Peru, and New Grenada, yields the straw from which are made the 

 Panama hats, cigar cases, &c. 



The Ippi-appa plant is plentiful in warm, humid districts in certain 

 parishes e g , the Castleton district in the Parish of St. Mary. It de- 

 lights in sheltered valleys near river-courses or streams, and it produ- 

 ces much larger and finer leaves under sh.de than in the open. 



It could be cultivated largely in its native districts, and in others, 

 e.g., in parts of St. Catherine, along the banks of irrigating canals in 

 the banana plantations. In such situations it would not interfere with 

 the banana cultivation, and if the Ippi-appa hat industry develops, this 

 would become a valuable minor product, as the supply of suitable 

 straw is getting scarce in districts where hats are made. 

 * There can be no doubt that the continual cutting of the young 

 leaves weakens the plant, if it does not kill it outright, and weak plants 

 do not yield good straw suitable for hat making. 



