in the mountain forests of Caraccas, and in woods near Cu- 
mana, whence it was sent to Europe many years ago. The 
plant itself is not uncommon, but to see it in flower is a rare 
occurrence. ‘The specimen now figured was sent me by 
* Richard Harrison, Esq. of Liverpool, with whom it opened 
its noble blossoms in March last. They are produced in a 
short spike, tier above tier; every day witnessed the expan- 
sion of a new tier above those of the former days, till at last 
the whole mass became a globe of living and glowing crimson. 
This brilliant head appeared on the side of the main-stem, 
among the leaves, which at that time presented a singular 
phenomenon. Every evening they rose up and lifted them- 
selves from the blossoms to expose them to the dew, so that 
each morning these beautiful objects were uncovered ; but 
as day advanced the leaves gradually drooped, and bent down 
over the flowers to guard them from the rays of the sun. 
Who can imagine the gorgeousness of an equinoctial forest at 
midnight with the veils thus lifted off myriads of flowers of 
every form and hue, which are hidden from our gaze in this 
or other ways during the hours of a tropical sunlit day, whose 
brilliancy would be death to their tender texture and delicate 
colours ? 
_ This noble tree must be grown in the damp stove. When 
its seeds are good they are easily raised if sown in light soil 
and plunged in a tan pit or hot-bed. A rich free soil that 
will not get hard or sour is the best for its after growth. It 
Is only in a large house that it can thrive well for any length 
of time, and be seen in its greatest beauty ; and if it is planted 
out in the border, or in a large tub with sufficient room all 
round for its leaves, it forms really a magnificent object. 
