1S73. ] MALORTIEA SIMPLEX. 205 



found a lodgment, are got rid of. At first, sliade slightly for a few hours from 

 the meridian sun ; but as the growth becomes matured, expose the plants to the 

 freer action of sun and air, reducing the supply of water to the roots, so as to 

 encourage a sound and early maturation, but in promoting this, be careful at the 

 same time that the foliage does not suffer, for without this is preserved in perfect 

 condition, the real effectiveness of the plant is marred. 



To facilitate early flowering, place the earliest ripened section where they can 

 be afforded bottom-heat, frequently stimulating them with weak manure-water 

 at the root, and syringing them over head. Under these conditions they will 

 quickly put forth their flower-stems, and as soon as the flowers show signs of 

 expanding they should be removed to a more airy position to harden, when they 

 will stand for months in a moderately warm conservatory or sitting-room. The 

 species best adapted for early flowering are Phaias grandifolius and P. WciUichii. 

 — Geo, Westland, Wit ley Cow^t. 



MALOETIEA SIMPLEX. 



WITH AN ILLUSTEATION. 



'HIS is an elegant genus of small-growing Palms, nearly allied to both 

 Geonoma and Chamcedorea^ and like those plants, forms dense masses of 

 under-growth in the South-American forests. The Malortieas^ like the 

 Geoiiomas, seem to form the connecting link between the fan-leaved and 

 pinnate sections of the great Palm family, and have bright, glossy-green pinna- 

 tisect foliage, irregularly lobed and serrated along the margins. The lobes 

 themselves are often connate, or joined together in the centre, so as to form 

 lattice-like slits or openings on each side the mid-rib, near the base of the leaf. 

 We have only one or two species at present in cultivation, and in all probability 

 these are nearly related to each other. The present species has been figured and 

 described as M. simjAex^ M. gracilis^ Geonoma lacerata, G. fenestrata^ and 

 Chamcedorea lacerata^ and is occasionally met with in botanic gardens and private 

 collections under all the above names. It forms an elegant decorative plant for 

 stove culture, and is easily propagated from suckers or offsets, which are freely 

 produced by well-established plants. Like its relatives, the Geonomas, it grows 

 well in a moderately warm and humid stove temperature, in a rich compost of 

 fresh maiden loam, leaf-mould, and sand. If the loam is heavy, one-third of 

 fibrous peat may be added, and a larger proportion of coarse sand. Well-grown 

 specimens are from two to four feet high, and one dense mass of elegantly cut 

 bright green foliage. Our illustration, taken from a nice specimen grown at 

 Manley Hall, near Manchester, shows the habit and general contour of the plant, 

 which is very graceful when grown with a single stem. Its fruit, which is freely 

 produced on well-established plants, is of a bright red or crimson colour, and like 

 that of the Chanuedoreas, highly ornamental in contrast with the bright green 

 foliage. It is a plant worth adding to every collection where foliage plants of 

 permanent interest are appreciated. — F. W. Buebidge. 



