entire, glabrous, a part of the upper margin of the sheath being 
alone ciliated, rather strongly so. From the centre of these 
leaves appears a nearly sessile, ovate head of flowers, in part con- 
cealed by numerous éracteas, imbricating each other; the inner 
ones longer, narrower, yellowish-green, glabrous, the outer 
*brown, broader, and hairy or cobwebby: these bracteas are 
intermingled with a few strong, acicular, almost brown spines. 
Calyx quite concealed by the bracteas, yellow-green: sepals 
lanceolate, acuminate, hairy. Pefa/s red, curved and galeate, 
bearmg a notched scale at the base within. Stamens shorter 
than the petals. Ovary superior, trisulcate. Style elongated. 
Stigmas three, twisted. W. J. H. 
Cutt. This plant requires a warm stove, and thrives in any 
kind of light open soil not retentive of moisture. Care must be 
taken not to water it too copiously. The old roots of this 
species, like those of many of its allies, after a time lose their 
vitality, and, by their continued increase, become a nidus of 
support to the succeeding young roots; but in cultivation it is 
advisable occasionally to turn the plant out of the pot and divest 
it entirely of the old roots, at the same time cutting away the 
lower part of the caudex, which will also be found to be dead. 
The plant on being repotted will soon emit young roots, and 
show a more vigorous growth. It is increased by offsets, and 
our plant shows at this time the appearance of producing perfect 
seeds. J. S. 
Fig. 1. Flower. 2. Petal. 3. Pistil —magnified. 
sans g, 
iS Nee ie tom 
