I have been researching this subject very thoroughly the last couple of hours and I have found that a palindrome is the non-flying stage of the aerodrome. Apparently, a palindrome is the the larval stage of the velodrome, a rather nasty and stupid creature which is always running around in circles. After mating, the velodrome lays its eggs in the nearest briar patch (even traveling thousands of kilometers to find one). The eggs hatch and after eating all of the vegetation for several hectares around (including wooden houses and any other formerly living vegetation) spin a cocoon and, from nine to sixteen months later, emerge as a palindrome. After spending several years chasing its own tail, the palindrome digs a hole and hibernates. During this time it gradually metamorphs into the beautiful aerodrome, whose sole purpose is to suck fermented nectar from flowers and mate indiscriminately with anything with wings. When fertilized, the aerodrome lays its eggs in violin and guitar cases and these, of course, hatch into velodromes and begin the whole stupid thing over again. After egg-laying, the aerodrome falls to the ground and is run over by passing aeroplanes.