_ subdistichous, oblong-lanceolate, sharply acuminated, glabrous 
on both sides, the bases forming long sheaths, auricled at the 
top of the sheath. Spike many-flowered, bracteated. Bracteas 
lax, outer or lower ones broad and obtuse or retuse, inner or 
upper ones convoluted and almost cylindrical. Zude of the 
perianth very long, slender, terete, slightly widening upwards. 
Limb of six segments: the three outer ones linear, tawny yellow, 
soon withering and reflexed; inner of three very unequal 
segments, all pure white with a deep orange disk; the superior 
one, or “ip, very large, suborbicular, clawed, deeply bifid, the 
lateral ones spreading horizontally, ovate-oblong, all attenuated 
below. Filament longer than the inner portion of the perianth, 
grooved above for the reception of the style: anther \inear- 
oblong, recurved, of the same colour as the filament. Stigma 
green, protruded a little beyond the anther. WJ. H. 
Cunt. The genus Hedychium consists of tropical perennial 
plants, characterized by a thick, fleshy, creeping, rhizome-like root, 
from which arises an herbaceous, leafy stem, formed of the 
sheathing bases of the leaves, and bearmg a terminal head or 
long spike of showy flowers. After flowering, the stem dies 
down, and the roots.assume a state of rest, remaining so until 
again stimulated into action by heat and moisture. When arti- 
ficially cultivated, it is therefore desirable, when the plant has 
flowered and the stems show symptoms of decay, gradually to 
reduce the supply of water. During winter the soil should be 
kept just sufficiently moist to prevent the roots from shrivelling : 
early in the spring these should be shaken out of the old soil, 
and the young and vigorous rhizomes selected for repotting. Fresh 
loam mixed with a little rotten dung, or other rich vegetable 
manure, suits them, provided it be not such as will become 
sour and retentive of water: to guard against this, the pot must 
be well drained. In order to start. the plants into growth, they 
should be placed in a warm pit, little water being given till they 
have made some progress, after which, and during the summer 
months, they will require to be freely supplied with it. J. S. 
