These have a turbinated, five-cleft calyx, the segments, or 

 teeth, closely applied to the base of the germen. Germen 

 ovate, surrounded by an annular disk or gland : Styles three, 

 tapering into reflexed and flexuose, subulate stigmas. 



If the flowers of this plant be insignificant and obscure, 

 this deficiency is amply compensated by the singularity and 

 beauty of its foliage, which renders it a most desirable 

 inmate of the stove, and which has recommended it to the 

 inhabitants of the Molucca islands, where it is a native, and 

 where they cultivate it around their houses, and for the 

 purpose of fences, decorating their triumphal arches with 

 its leaves, and strewing them about on occasions of fes- 

 tivity. 



We are indebted to Charles Telfair, Esq., and to the 

 Professor of the Royal College, Mauritius, for the pos- 

 session of this plant in the Glasgow Botanic Garden, where 

 it flowered in August, 1830. It was sent under the name of 

 Croton pictum, and it is said to be C. pictum of Noisette, 

 by Steudel; but I do not find it any where described under 

 that name, except by Mr. Loddiges in his Botanical 

 Cabinet. It is, I think, with justice separated from the d 

 variegatum, with which it has been confounded, and which 

 has very narrow leaves, almost linear indeed. At the same 

 time, it must be acknowledged, that Rumphius has repre- 

 sented some intermediate states, which make it difficult to 

 draw the line of distinction. All have a peculiar Aucuba- 

 like habit, which, in addition to the difference in the fructi- 

 fication, shows the judgment of Adr. De Jussieu in separat- 

 ing them generically from Croton. 



Fig.l. Female Flower. 2. Gland at the Base of the Germen. 



