Tas. 5006. 
AGAVE DENSIFLORA. 
. Close-flowered Agave. 
Nat. Ord. AMARYLLIDE#%.—HEXANDRIA MoNoGYNIA. 
Gen. Char. (Vide supra, sub Tas. 4984.) 
AGAVE densiflora; acaulis, foliis subtripedalibus obovato-lanceolatis crassis 
rigidis atro-virentibus ineequaliter breviter spinoso-dentatis apice tenuiter 
acuminatis spinescentibus dentibus remotiusculis simplicibus supra planis vel 
apicem versus concavis, dorso convexo, scapo folia longe superantibus 5—6- 
pedali fere ad basin squamis seu bracteis longis subulatis erectiusculis vel 
appressis, spica elongata fusiformi, floribus sessilibus numerosissimis ad basin 
bracteatis, bractea elongato-subulata, perianthio flavo-viridi hypocrateri- 
formi tubo subcylindraceo limbi laciniis linearibus reflexis apice sphacelatis, 
filamentis fusiformibus styloque perianthio plus quam duplo longioribus. 
The Succulent-house of the Royal Gardens of Kew contains 
two fine plants of an unnamed dyave which are supposed to 
have been imported from Mexico, and which, during the pre- 
sent year, have (both) produced their fine flowering scapes. One 
of these is here figured upon a very reduced scale; but I regret 
to say that, with all the advantages of flower and fruit before me, 
I am unable to refer it to any described species. Kunth, the 
most recent author on the genus, describes thirty-eight species, 
included under three primary groups; 1. Scape paniculato-ra- 
mose ; 2. Scape simple, flowers spiked and sessile (to which our 
plant belongs) ; 3. Species mihi haud classificande. With none 
of the species there described will our plant accord. I have no 
alternative then, but, as with the allied Agave (that is, belonging 
to the same section) figured at our Tab. 4934, to describe it as 
new. 
Duscr. Stem none. Leaves, external ones horizontally spread- 
ing, the rest gradually more erect, and the central ones quite so, 
lanceolate, dilated at the base, finely pungently and spinulosely 
acuminated at the apex, four to five inches broad, convex on the 
under side, nearly plain or canaliculate above, or concave below 
SEPTEMBER Ist, 1857. 
