the leaf with violet margins. He adds that it was known 
in Holland as early as 1680 to 1690 as “Arum Colocasia 
dictum zeylanicum pediculis punicantibus.” This would 
indicate Ceylon as the origin of var. Fontanesii, which is so 
far confirmed by Trimen, who describes the petioles of 
C. antiquorum as being green or violet. Roxburgh 
mentions a variety with leaves and petioles more or less 
tinged with purple as wild in India. The only other 
description of it is by Karl Koch, according to which the 
leaves are brownish, and the petiole violet-purple. 
The plant here figured differs from any form of C. anti- 
quorum known to me in the red-purple petioles and 
peduncles, and in the great size of the spathe, the tube of 
which is three inches long, of a bright red-purple colour, 
and in the oblong limb ten inches long by four broad, very 
flat after expansion, and of a bright primrose colour. 
The appendage of the spadix is a very small cone. This 
character of the large open spathe has not been figured, 
described, or seen by me in any other form of C. antiquorum, 
in which the spathe is normally much narrower, erect, and 
convolute, or very concave. It has been for many years 
in cultivation in Kew and elsewhere in Britain. The 
Specimen figured was sent to me from the University 
Botanical Garden, Cambridge, by Mr. Lynch in July, — 
1899.—J. D. H. 3 ae tes r 
Fig. 1, spadix slightly enlarged; 2, stamens, and 3 ee ch 
ed; 4, reduced view of whole plant. ae ees Pe 
