232 
BECCARI. 
finally subtuberculiform ; the central divisions of the leaf are united 
for about two-thirds their length and occasionally somewhat more, measur- 
ing 75—80 cm. from the apex of the petiole to their summit and only 
25-30 cm. in their free portions which are 4— 4.5 cm. broad at the base; 
from the base the segments gradually narrow towards the summit, where 
they are suddenly contracted into a short straight firm not drooping 
point ; this is cleft to the extent of 4-6 cm. ; each of the two resulting 
divisions is straight, acuminate and with an almost pungent apex; the 
lateral divisions are gradually narrower, 2-2.5 cm. broad reach nearer 
to the petiole, are gradually more acuminate and more deeply divided 
into two long straight setiform points, the filaments in the sinuses are 
obsolete or very rudimentary ; the upper main costae are rather prominent 
and sharp on both surfaces, which are almost equally green and almost 
shining ; the secondary nerves and the transverse veinlets are very slender, 
and scarcely visible. Spadix elongated, slender, with several rather 
distant branches or partial inflorescences; its main axis rigid, straight, 
subterete, the size of a man’s little finger. Primary spathes thinly coria- 
ceous, dry, reddish brown, glabrous, tubular-cylindraceous, rather closely 
sheathing, obliquely truncate at the mouth, produced at one side into a 
blunt point, the margins at the apex more or less crenate and glabrous. 
The partial inflorescence is twice branched and forms a small lax, ovate, 
20-25 cm. long panicle, with 2-3 primary basal branches and not many 
floriferous branchlets; the peduncular part of the panicle is concave on 
the inner side, and convex externally with very sharp edges, erect, and 
is almost entirely sheathed by its own spathe, the branchlets are 3-5 
cm. long, subterete, about 1 mm. thick at the base. The flowers are 
spirally arranged all around the branchlets and rest on very small de- 
scoidal slightly prominent ebracteolate pulvinuli. Perfect flowers not 
seen. Fruiting perianth hard, very short, 2 mm. thick and 1.5 mm. high. 
Fruit exactly spherical, 11-12 mm. in diameter, black (at least when 
dry) with a finely wrinkled surface (when not quite mature) and without 
a visible mark of the remains of the stigma; the pericarp 1.5 mm. thick; 
the mesocarp grumose; the endocarp very thin. Seed, as far as can be 
judged from the immature fruit, exactly spherical with a broad orbicular 
hilum. 
Palawan, in swamps along the Caranugan River. No. 3784 E. M. Curran. 
Distinct from the only two other yet known Philippine species of this genus, 4 
by the segments of the leaves which have their summit divided into two short 
straight not drooping points, by the petiole armed only at its base with small 
closely set spines and by the small round fruit. 
The specimens examined by me consist of portions of the leaf and spadix with 
not quite mature fruit. 
4 Livistona Merrillii Becc. and L. Whitfordii Becc. ; probably L. VidalU Beec., 
must be referred to the genus Pholidocarpus. 
