5 00 
PALMAE 
The fir. has usually the formula P3 + 3, A 3 + 3, G3 or (3). 
The perianth has both whorls alike and varies in texture. The cpls. 
when united may form a i-loc. or 3-loc. ovary, with 3 or sometimes 1, 
anatropous ovules (rarely semi-anatropous, or orthotropous). The pol- 
lination-methods of the Palms want investigation ; some, e.g. Cocos, 
are wind-pollinated, others are doubtless entomophilous. 
The fruit is a berry or drupe; in the latter case the endocarp 
is usually united to the seed. The fruit in Lepidocaryinae is covered 
with dry woody scales. The seed has a large endosperm ; in date, 
vegetable ivory &c. it is very hard, the non-nitrogenous storage- 
material taking the form of cellulose, which is deposited upon the 
cell walls. In germination the cotyledon lengthens and pushes out 
the radicle, and then the plumule grows out of the sheathing cotyledon 
(see Nat . Pfl.)- 
Economically, the P. are very important, furnishing many of the 
necessaries of life in the tropics &c. Many have edible fruit or seed, 
e.g. date (Phoenix) and coco-nut (Cocos) ; the stems contain much 
starch as reserve food, especially in those sp. which save up for a great 
terminal infl. , e.g. Metroxylon (sago), Caryota, &c. ; the rush of sap 
to the infl., especially in the cases just mentioned, is great ; and by 
tapping the stem great quantities of sugar-containing fluid may be 
obtained and utilised, either directly as a source of sugar or indirectly 
to make intoxicating drinks by fermentation. The bud of leaves at 
the top of the stem is often used as cabbage. The stems are used in 
building, but do not yield plank-timber; the leaves are used in 
thatching and basket-making, and for hats, mats, &c. ; the fibres 
of the leaf-sheaths are used for ropes &c. ; other P. furnish oil 
(e.g. Elaeis, Cocos), wax (Copemicia), vegetable ivory (Phytelephas, 
&c.), betel-nuts (Areca), &c. 
Classification and chief genera (after Drude) : 
A. Perianth 6-partite, enclosing the fruit after fertilisation. 
I. CORYPHINAE (spadix loosely branched, often a prolix 
panicle ; firs, single or in long rows flowering from above ; 
cpls. 3, or loosely united, separating after fertilisation; 
berry; fan or feather leaves, induplicate): 
1. Phoeniceae: Phoenix. 
2. Sabaleae : Chamaerops, Rhapis, Corypha, Livistona, 
Sabal, Copemicia. 
II. BORASSINAE (spadix simple or little branched with 
thick cylindrical twigs ; firs, markedly diclinous dimorphic, 
invested with bracts, the <? in 1 — 00 cincinni in grooves 
of the twigs ; cpls. (3), fully united, producing a one-seeded 
drupe ; fan leaves, induplicate) : 
3. Borasseae: Borassus, Lodoicea. 
III. LEPIDOCARYINAE (spadix branched once or more in 
a 2-ranked arrangement; firs, in cincinni or 2 -ranked 
