Alpinia, MONANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 71 
most height, which varies from six to nine feet; four or five tendrils ` 
are now seen to Spring from its stem ner the root, and afterwards 
the fruit is produced, which is gathered the following November ; 
and requires no other preparation, than drying in the sun. The fait 
1s anually collected in this way, until the seventh year, when it is usu- 
al to cut it down, and from the trunk othersprouts arise, in the course 
of the next monsoon ; which grow, flourish, and are cultivated as be- 
fore. ' The husk with the seed T liave called the fruit, as 1t corre- 
sponds with the native name. ‘The seeds are termed the i rice, and 
the tendrils the threads of the plants 0. 
«f do not hear of any varieties in the Pee ds now ves nin 
you a specimen « of some just given to me by. the person who. farms . 
the collection, ‘and accounted of an inferior growth. It ; may pobbe 
“unnecessary to méntion, that this commodity yields to Gove 
from 25, to 50,000 rupees per annum. The inhabitants use it as ake 
neral condiment to their food, and it is likewise held in sacred estima- 
‘tion for the purposes of sacrifice. Itis constantly chewed witb betle; 
and some medicinal properties are ascribed toit when used in decoc- 
tion for complaints of the bowels. I am assured, by all, that the seeds 
of the Cardomum will never produce plants, and that it is Quly to be 
Eos canh as eheu stated, or br cuttings.” 
10. A. punicea. R. Lom. : 
- Leaves lanceolate. Spikes radical, Danok E Tee ón- 
"fire, ‘sub-parabolic ; base spurlesss... 
A stately species, a native of Sumatra, from, ines sent by the 
late Dr.C. Campbell, to the Botanic Garden near Calcutta, where. it 
blossoms in March and April. |... 
' Roots hard, and bifarious. : Suckers. numerous, running | far under 
ie surface ofthe: earth.— Stems numerous, erect, or oblique, smooth, 
~ swelled near the base ; general height about six or seven feet and. as, 
thick asa slender walking cane.—Leaves sub-bifarious, short-petio- 
.— led on their sheaths, lanceolate, rounded at the base, both 
smooth ; from six to twenty. inches long,by from tires ix broa 
