240 TRIANDRIA D1GYNIA. SacckariML 



cuneate, crenulate, fleshy scales, which occupy the two pos- 

 terior sides of the germ, opposite to the two valves of the 

 corol. 



Obs. Tli is new species, for such it appears to me, was in- 

 troduced from China into the Botanic garden, at the close of 

 the year 179h", in hope of finding it in some respects better 

 than the common cane cultivated over India. It promises 

 considerable advantage; particularly from its being so solid, 

 and hard, as to resist the forceps of the white ants, and the 

 teeth of the jackal, two great enemies to our East Indian 

 sugar plantations. At the same time it bears drought much 

 better than the sorts in general cultivation. It produces a 

 profitable crop even to the third year ; while the common 

 cane of India must be renewed every year. It is also said 

 to yield juice of a richer quality. 



This seems to be the sort employed over China for making 

 their sugars, as appears from the following extract of a letter 

 from Mr. A. Duncan, surgeon to the factory at Canton, to 

 Richard Hall, Esq. President, &c. of the Select Committee, 

 dated Canton 26th October, 1790, which accompanied plants 

 of this cane from China ; explaining the mode of cultivation 

 and manufacturing the sugar in the province of Canton. 



" Suyar canes. A first and second sort are cultivated in 

 the province of Canton ; the former being" small, compact 

 and highly saccharine, is manufactured into sugar, whereas 

 the latter, being of a larger size, and looser texture, is gene- 

 rally cut into joints, and eat by the natives, either raw, or 

 gently heated. 



" The culture of sugar canes commences about the middle 

 of March or beginning of April, in proportion to the tempe- 

 rature of the weather, when a good, light, sandy soil is 

 thrown up into beds of about four feet diameter leaving in- 

 termediate spaces of one and a halt, which serve as drains 

 and passes for the husbandmen. A composition of human 

 manure and water is thrown over the beds; after which the 

 tops of sugar canes, fifteen inches long, (the Chinese are here 



