FLOOR. J 
DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY. 
53 
wall of the room, together with specimens of some smaller Ferns, 
having a structure in some respects analogous to that of Fern- 
trees, such as the genus Lomaria. Other small Fern-trees, but differing 
still more widely in structure, including species of Aspidium, 
NErHRODiUM, and Diplazlum, are placed upon the shelves. Of the 
former genus there are sections of the stems of several British species. 
Cases 3 to 6 are filled with specimens of Palms, including portions 
of stems and their sections, fronds, spathse and spadices, and fruits. 
Case 2 is chiefly devoted to Professor Von Martius's tribe of 
Arecin^. Among the specimens of this tribe may be specially 
noticed Caryota urens, Linn., from which the natives of India 
obtain large quantities of palm-wine, and sago of very good 
quality. At the back is a fine specimen of the inflorescence of 
GEnocarpus Bacaba, Mart., with its canoe-like spatha, together with 
its wood and a frond. In the case are also specimens of several 
species of Areca, or Betel-Palm ; and of Arenga saccharifera, 
Labill., one of the most valuable Palms of the East, producing, in 
addition to timber and thatch, an abundance of palm-wine, sugar, 
sago, and a fibre of great tenacity and durability, much employed in 
India, and in the Malayan Islands, where it is called Ejoo, in the 
construction of cables and other cordage. 
Cases 3 and 4 contain specimens of the tribe Calamine, or Scaly- 
fruited Palms. Among those exhibited in Case 3 are several spe- 
cimens of the graceful inflorescence of Plectocomta elongate, Mart. ; 
two species of Zalacca, Z. conferta, Griff., and Z. affjnis, both 
from Malacca ; Eugeissona triste, Griff. (Pholidia, Linn. fil. Ms.), 
one of the most remarkable genera of the tribe ; and several species 
of the genus Calamus, which furnishes the most valuable walking 
and other canes, and is also remarkable for the slender, elongated 
climbing stems of many of its species, and for the thorns or prickles 
of various shapes which frequently cover their stems and fronds. 
At the back of Case 4 are placed fine specimens of the male inflo- 
rescence, together with fruits of the Sago-Palm (Metroxylon Bumphii, 
Mart.), and also of the inflorescence, both male and female, the 
latter bearing fruits, of the Brazilian Mauritia aculeata, Humb. 
Large fruit-bearing specimens of Baphia vinifera, Beanv., and of 
PlAphia Buffia, Mart., occupy the floor and sides of the Case. As 
the name imports, the natives of Western Africa obtain from the 
former a considerable supply of palm-wine. 
Case 5 contains specimens of Palms of the tribes Borassinjs, 
CoryphinjE, and Phcenicin^e. At the back is a fine section of the base 
of the stem of the Tal, or Palmeira-Palm, BoRASSUS flabei.liformis, 
Linn. On the floor are several nuts of the Lodoicea Seychellarum, 
Labill., commonly called Double, or Sea Cocoa-Xuts. These are con- 
tained, one, two, or more generally three, in an immense fibrous 
fruit, attaining a size of three feet in circumference, and weighing 
from thirty to fifty pounds ; and are subject to considerable variations 
in size and form. On the left side are specimens of the inflorescence, 
with its curious spatha, of Manlcaria saccifeka, Gicrtn., from Brazil 
