138 FLORA OF NEW PROVIDENCE AND ANDROS 



seems to correspond well with Sargent's description, though there is the 

 possibility that the leaf and fruit were not taken from the same tree. 



Locality. — Big Cabbage Creek, Andros Island, June. Another 

 specimen (257) from Freshwater Pond, Hog Island, N.P., February, 

 consists of a leaf and an old inflorescence, the latter with the spathes 

 still coated in patches with dense white pubescence. 



In comparison with Thrinax Ponceana (Bull. Torrey Club, 28, 536. 

 1 901) from Puerto Rico the leaves of the present species are smaller, 

 with the petioles less flattened and more distinctly ribbed on the upper 

 side near the apex. The transverse or oblique veinules are more 

 numerous and more prominent ; also the veinules of the lower surface, 

 which lacks the glaucous or waxy covering distinct in T. Ponceana. 



COCCOTHRINAX Sp. 



A single leaf with the form and veination of C. Garheri (Chapman), 

 but somewhat less densely pubescent. Locality: New Providence, 

 Nassau, February, 1890 (No. 284). 



Mr. Lyster H. Dewey, of the U. S. Department of Agriculture, 

 recently brought back from New Providence Island a leaf probably 

 belonging to a Coccothrinax and popularly called " silver thatch." The 

 leaves are commonly used for weaving into hats and baskets. The 

 trunk seldom, if ever, exceeds about 2.5 m., and is about 15 cm. thick. 

 A photograph secured by Mr. Dewey shows that the surface is largely 

 free from leaf bases, and fairly smooth, the leaf scars being but slightly 

 impressed. The diameter seems to be rather uneven, with a tendency 

 to become somewhat thicker in the middle. 



Paurotis gen. nov. 



A small, slender palm with spiny petioles like Copernicia, but with 

 only the primary branches of the slender inflorescence subtended by 

 spathes. 



Paurotis is probably more nearly related to Serenoa than to Coper 

 nicia, but differs in the larger size, the erect trunk, the stronger ligule, 

 the absence of the ligule-like inferior scales, the presence of a rudimen- 

 tary midrib, and in the more deeply divided segments. Inflorescence 

 much more slender throughout than in Serenoa; flowers much smaller, 

 with free sepals and short valvate petals. 



