668 PENTANDRIA MONOGVN1A. Jlusa. 



\i ins ; from five to ten feet long", and from two to three broad. 

 Petioles about two feet long; those of the lower leaves have 

 their bases broad and embrace the stem ; while those near the 

 inflorescence have long, stem-clasping sheaths, like those of 

 the plantain and banana ; semi-cylindric on the under side, 

 and deeply channelled on the upper one. Spadix terminal, 

 simple, drooping, before any of the spathes expand, cordate. 

 Spalhes numerous, expanding in succession, broad-cordate, 

 slightly ribbed, smooth, ferruginous, many-flowered, perma- 

 nent, and not becoming revolute. Floicers numerous, from 

 twenty to thirty in a double series to each spathe ; thejernale- 

 hermaphrodite ones occupy the bases, or lower spathes ; and 

 the male-hermaphrodite ones the superior. Perianth none. 

 Corol ; petals two, very unequal. Exterior petal involving 

 the inner one like a spathe, leathery, three-parted ; the linear 

 divisions often adhering by their margins; soon after expan- 

 sion they become twisted into one body. Inner petal five or 

 six times shorter than the exterior one, pale-coloured, almost 

 pellucid, and composed of two sub-rotund lobes with an en- 

 siform process between them ; from the inside of the insertion 

 of this petal a very large quantity of transparent jelly is dis- 

 charged. Nectary two filiform scales inserted over the two 

 fissures of the exterior petal. Thus far the male and female- 

 hermaphrodite flowers agree. Filaments five, with the rudi- 

 ment of a sixth on the under side. Anthers in the male-her- 

 maphrodite flower longer and thicker than the filaments. In 

 the female-hermaphrodite they are wanting, or ©ply small, 

 black, withered points. Germ beneath. In the female-her- 

 maphrodite flower large, three-celled, and fertile ; in the male 

 one small, and barren. Style linear, thick, and ilrshy. In the 

 female-hermaphrodite flower twice as long as its barren sta- 

 mens. In the male-hermaphrodite one only half the length of 

 the fertile stamens. Stigma in both somewhat three-grooved, 

 and obscurely six-lobed, clammy. Pericarp ; berry oblong, 

 size of a goose-egg, smooth, three-celled, when ripe nearly 

 dry, so little pulp is there on the fruit of this species. Seeds 



