290 FLORA VITIENSIS. 
alt.) ; foliis oblongo-lanceolatis, obtusis; spadice pendulo, hirsuto; spathis ovatis (purpureis), 
deciduis ; baccis ovato-oblongis, angulatis—M. Chinensis, Sweet. M. regia, Rumph. Amb. vol. v. 
p. 131. Nomen vernac. Vitiense, * Vudi ni papalagi" (i.e. foreign Muga).—Much cultivated 
throughout Viti. > 
3. M. paradisiaca, Linn. Spec. n. 1477; caudice extus viridi; spadice glabro, pendulo; fl. 4 
persistentibus; spathis acutis (violaceis) ; baccis 3-gonis, faleatis.—Nomen vernac. Vitiense, “ Vudi." 
—Much cultivated throughout Viti. 
4. M. uranoscopus, Rumph. Amb. vol. v. p. 137. t. 61. f. 2; foliis angustatis ; spadice erecto, 
apice demum fl. deciduis denudato incurvo; baccis obovoideo-ellipsoideis, parvis (rufis v. aurantiacis). 
—M. Troglodytarum, Linn. Spec. n. 1478. Nomen vernac. Vitiense, ** Soaqa ;" Samoense, “ Soa’a.” 
—In woods of Viti Levu and Taviuni; occasionally cultivated (Seemann ! n. 619). 
II. Alpinia, Linn. Gen. n. 4, excl. sp.; Endl. Gen. n. 1632. Calyx tubulosus, laxus, apice 
rumpens. Corollz tubus brevis; limbi laciniz exteriores equales, erectiusculz, interiores laterales, 
denticuliformes v. 0; labellum magnum, explanatum, integrum v. 2-3-lobum.  Filamentum lineare, 
ultra antherze muticæ emarginatz loculos haud productum. Ovarium inferum, 3-loculare. Ovula 
in loculorum angulo centrali co, horizontalia, anatropa. Stylus filiformis, inter antherz loculos 
transiens ; stigma capitato-3-gonum, Capsula baccata, 3-locularis, indehiscens. Semina oo v. abortu 
pauca, arillata.— Herb: radicibus crassis, tuberosis, horizontalibus, caulibus pluribus, perennantibus ; 
foliis bifariis, lanceolatis; vagina fissa, ligulata; inflorescentia caulem terminante, paniculata v. laxe 
racemosa aut spicata. 
1. A. Vitiensis, (sp. nov.) Seem. (Tab. LXXXVII.) ; foliis breve petiolatis, lanceolatis, acu- 
minatissimis, marginatis, utrinque glabris, subtus albido-punctatis ; racemis terminalibus subpanicu- 
latis; pedicellis villoso-pubescentibus ; calycibus truncatis; corolle lobis lateralibus obovatis, dor- 
sali oblongo obtuso (ceteris longiore), labello obovato obtuso.—Taviuni. (Seemann! n. 621.) 
Allied to A. Allughas, Rose. Petiole, beyond the ligule, 3-14 inch long. Blade of leaf 14—16 inches 
long, 2-24 inches broad. Racemes terminal, about 2 inches long, and shorter than the lowermost leaf-like 
bract; the rachis bearing short peduncles, each with 2-3 flowers. 
EXPLANATION OF Pirate LXXXVII., representing A. Vitiensis, Seem.—Fig. 1, a flower; 2, the same 
open, with calyx removed; 3, top of ovary; 4, filament; 5, cross-section of ovary. 
2. A. Boia, (sp. nov.) Seem. (Tab. LXXXVIII.) ; foliis elongato-oblongis acuminatis amplis- 
simis, glabris; spicis distichis paniculatis; calycibus truncatis; corolle lobis lateralibus oblongis, 
dorsali obovato, labello integro.—Nomen vernaculum Vitiense, ** Boia."— Viti Levu, on the road from 
Navua to Namosi, in woods. (Seemann! n. 620.) 
A gigantie species recalling to mind the larger Heliconias and Musas, and in native superstition 
supposed to be the plantain of the Veli (spirits of the woods), which cannot be touched by mortals 
with impunity. Leaves several feet long, 9-18 inches broad, with purplish petioles. Inflorescence a 
large panicle composed of distichous spikes, the rachis of which is closely surrounded by truncate bracts. 
Corolla of a pale rose-colour. Anthers and stigma glabrous. Seed obovate, covered almost entirely with a 
whitish arillus. : 
EXPLANATION OF PravE. LXXXVIII., representing Alpinia Boia, Seem.— Fig, 1, lower portion of a 
small leaf; 2, upper portion of ditto; 3, portion of inflorescence ; 4, flower-bud ; 5, open flower ; 6, corolla 
forced open; 7, cross-section of fruit; 8 and 9, seeds; 10, seed without the arillus :— ig. 4, 5, 6, 9, and 
10 magnified. 
III. Amomum, Linn. Gen. n. 2; Endl. Gen. n. 1626. Calyx tubulosus, apice 3-fidus. 
