

The Physiology of Monstera deliciosa. 



By Henry W. King. 



Plates VI. and VII, 



(Head June 17 th, 1892). 



The aroids to which this plant belongs are essentially a 

 distinct class, the largely developed bract enclosing the 

 organs of reproduction forming a feature that separates them 

 from all other forms of vegetation. They are principally 

 natives of the hotter climates, though there are some which 

 inhabit the more temperate climes. The former often attain to 

 considerable size, and seem to scramble among rocks and trees, 

 to which they find support by means of their long, pendulous, 

 aerial roots, that also absorb. the moisture rising from the damp 

 earth or subterfluent waters. Those inhabiting the colder and 

 dryer climates are principally herbaceous, and do not attain to 

 large proportions. 



A strong acrid principle seems to pervade nearly the whole 

 order in a more or less marked degree. Through it some are 

 rendered exceedingly poisonous, the most remarkable example 

 being the dumb cane of the West Indies and South America. 

 Dr. Lindley states that this species "when chewed has the 

 property of swelling the tongue and destroying the power of 

 speech." Dr. Hooker also relates that a gardener " incautiously 

 bit a piece of dumb cane, when his tongue swelled to such a 

 degree that he could not move it ; he became utterly incapable 

 of speaking, and was confined to the house for some days in 

 the most excruciating torments." 



But the majestic plant, Monstera deliciosa, is free, as its 

 name implies, from the very poisonous principles just referred 

 to, at least so far as the fruit is concerned, which has a great 

 similarity of flavour to a pine-apple. It is a native of Mexico, 

 and luxuriates in a moist atmosphere, where it grows among 

 the tropical vegetation, throwing down long, pendulous, aerial 



JouRN. Q. M. C, Series II., No. 32. 9 



