branaceous, spinoso-dentate, red, more or less downy, large 
bracteas, which are soon reflected and withered. Raceme 
nearly a foot long, stout, spicate, downy, composed of nu- 
merous, glomerated or fasciculated flowers, each subtende 
by a somewhat ventricose, green, striated, obtuse, down 
circumvolute bractea, more than half as long as the flowe 
which it closely embraces, having a strong and sharp dark- 
purple spine, just below the point. Calyx superior, of three 
erect, convolute, rather rigid, yellow, or greenish-yellow 
sepals, each terminated by a dark-coloured, rigid spine. 
Petals \inear, acute, bright and deep rose-red, longer than 
the calyx, having two very obscure white scales near the 
base, afterwards changing to orange. Stamens six ; three 
on the base of the petals, and three alternating with them. 
Filaments white, shorter than the petals: Anthers white, ob- 
long-oval, with an acute point. Germen inferior, obovate, 
slightly downy, green, three-celled, each cell bearing many 
ovules attached to the upper part of the inner angle. Style 
as long as the filaments, white. Stigmas three, linear, white, 
downy, twisted. The fruit, which has been obligingly sent 
to me since the plate was completed, by Mr. Snepuerp, and 
too late to have the whole figured, is extremely beautiful, 
consisting of numerous bright blue, ovato-acuminated ber- 
ries, mixed with some white abortive ones, tipped with the 
withered remains of the perianth, and all collected togethe 
into a very compact oblong head. Each berry has three 
cells, and several oblongo-pyriform brown seeds, suspended 
from the top of the cells. Albumen between corneous and 
farinaceous. Embryo small, situated near the hilum. 
For the introduction of this beautiful Bromeliaceous plant to the Bo- 
tanic Garden of Liverpool, we are indebted to the great friend an 
patron of that Institution and of Botany in general, C. S. Parker, Esq. 
who, whilst on a visit to Demerara, sent it, with many other rarities, 
from that country, where it is parasitical upon trees. Its noble yellow: 
green spikes, tipped with richly-coloured, erect, protruded portions o 
the petals, and the large red bracteas at the base, render this plant 
most desirable inmate of the stove. It flowers in March and April. 
: Ph oy Dr. Scuutrezs in referring this plant to Alcumxa, whic 
- Linpiey distinguishes from Bituseraia, by the three bracteas of 
Mie wieaitae into a single cup-shaped one. This part, in our 
? IStL i 11 id iP] 
UBiesaiedte netly cup-shaped than in Ruiz and Pavon’s origin 
i a Fascicle of Flowers. 2. Single Flower with its Bractea. 3. Inner 
view a Bractea. 4. Flower. 5. Ditto, from which the Calyx has been 
8.8. B : te Fetal and two Stamens. 7. Germen cut through horizontally. 
10. ‘Vertiser nat. size. 9. Section of a Berry, the Seeds being removed. 
IL, Seed. 12 Sonik * Berry showing two of the Cells filled with Seeds. 
‘At. Seed, 12, Section of ditto : all but 8. 8. more or less magnified. 
