\ 
considered to be a distinct species, having brond-oval leaves, 
and stronger parallel ribs on the under side, running ob- 
liquely from the mid-rib. to the margins. 
Many of the plants of the family of Aréid@ are very 
acrid; but this perhaps exceeds them all in this quality. 
Sir Hans Stoang, in his History of Jamaica, gives the fol- 
lowing account of the reason. of the name by which it is 
known in the West Indies. 
“« If one cut this Cane with a knife and put the tip of the 
tongue to it, it makes a very painful sensation, and occa- 
sions such a very great irritation on the salivary ducts, that 
they presently swell, so that the person cannot speak, and 
do nothing for some time but void spittle to a great degree, 
or salivate, which in some time goes off ; in this, doing, in 
a greater degree, what European Arum does ina lesser ; and 
from this its quality, and being jointed, this Arum is called 
Dump Cane.” 
It is said, that the masters sometimes imflict a severe 
punishment upon their slaves, by rubbing their mouths with 
this plant. It is, also, an ingredient in the highly acrimo- 
nious liquid used in the preparation of sugar. . 
Native of the West Indies, and the tropical part of the 
continent of America, growing in marshy places, where it 
attains the height of five or six feet: Cultivated in thestove. 
_ Flowers at different seasons. Our specimen was com- 
municated by Mr. Anprrson in March in the present year. 
’ 
The Outline figure shews the spadix, with the onthe: removed ; in which 
the male flowers are seen at the upper part, and the female at the lower. 
