The S E V E N V E G E T A B L E F A M I L I E S. 209 
Ear, with the Hufks all turned, or nearly all, one way. Each has Its flen- 
der Footftalk, and they play a little loofe. 
The Iludcs are of a greenifli brown, and naturally terminate at the 
fame Imall fize with thofe of the other Grasses, the Flowers havins:, like 
them, their three Filaments and feathery Style : but where the Soil and 
Seafon join to give the Plant abundant Nourifliment, the feveral Valves or 
Parts of each Kufc, lengthen into abfolute Leaves, graiTv, and perfect as 
thofe of the reft of the Plant, only flaorter. 
What has been faid of the Formation of the parts of Flowers, ex- 
plains this 3 for thefe bulky Films are of the nature of the Cup in other 
Flowers ; and being only the terminations of the Rinds of the Plant, more 
Nourifliment may make them continue to grow ; as the refl; of the Plant 
does not grow with them, they could not run into a Ampler or nrore na- 
tural form : the Blades of Grass which they conflitute, being no more 
than extended Huflcs, whofe lengthened portion being full of Juice, and 
having had no check in its growth, is green and tender j while the Bafe, 
where Vegetation had begun to ceafe, is hard and brown. 
CHAP. XLVIL 
Of the W I N G E D PALM. 
A S in the preceding inftance any Grass might have exprefied the Fa- 
mily of Grafies, here any Palm might have been chofen for that 
purpofe, refpedting the Family of Palms j all having naked Trunks, 
Leafy at the Top; and the Frudlifleations placed on a kind of Ear, and 
produced within a Scabbard. I have felefted this as the mofl: diflindlive in 
the Charadters ; for its Amply Winged Leaves difplay the frondo^s Nature 
of the Palm Head, better than thofe which, being more complicated, 
and divided, feem to be themfelves Branched. 
Authors of early time have known this fpecies ; and it is common and 
famous for its many ufes throughout the Eafl, and great part of South 
America. The Fruit is the Nux Indica of Avicenna, and the Tree it- 
felf the Palma nucefera, and Coccifera of the Bauhines, and 
other Authors. 
The Root is black, and fpreading. The Stem, or Trunk, is a Foot 
and half thick ; and in favourable, moifl:, and fliadowy places rifes to a 
great height. It is covered with the remains of certain Films, which grow 
VoL. I. E e about 
