250 Mr. Wnurrz's Description and Natural History 
always an object of much competition ; and the best sources of it 
being now in possession of the English, accumulate fresh conside- 
rations for becoming better acquainted with its history. — 
When it is further premised, that the information here given is 
founded on documents ever judged most likely to attain the ob- 
ject of all useful investigation, namely, the testimony of intelli- 
gent natives on the spot, and actual inspection during a tem- 
porary residence undertaken for the purpose, the writer deems no 
further apology necessary for bringing forward the fruits of his 
observation. 
I. 
. BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION. 
Monanpria. Monocyntas. 
Amomum CARDAMOMUM. 
Calyx double, each spathous and tubular. Outer and inferior 
arising from the proper pedicle, embracing the inner calyx 
to near its summit, split before, keeled and pointed behind, 
withering. Inner and superior funnel-form, lax, continuous 
with and rising from the top of the germen, ascending with 
3 and reaching above the middle of the tube of the corolla. 
border 2- or 3-cleft, unequally finely scored, permanent. 
Corolla monopetalous, funnel-form. Tube ascending, cylindrical 
below, compressed a little upward, marked- with three su- 
perficial furrows, evanescent as they descend from the di- 
visions of the inner border. Border double, unequal. 
Inferior and outer reflected to the interior, membranous, 
3-parted. Divisions oblong-linear, obtuse, with margins a 
little inflected, and ends turned up slipper-wise ; the middle 
or 
