in the mountain forests of Caraccas, and in woods near Cu- 

 mana, whence it was sent to Europe many years ago. The 

 plant itself is not uncommon, but to see it in flower is a rare 

 occurrence. The specimen now figured was sent me by 

 Richard Harrison, Esq. of Liverpool, with whom it opened 

 its noble blossoms in March last. They are produced in a 

 short spike, tier above tier ; every day witnessed the expan- 

 sion of a new tier above those of the former days, till at last 

 the whole mass became a globe of living and glowing crimson. 

 This brilliant head appeared on the side of the main-stem, 

 among the leaves, which at that time presented a singular 

 phenomenon. Every evening they rose up and lifted them- 

 selves from the blossoms to expose them to the dew, so that 

 each morning these beautiful objects were uncovered ; but 

 as day advanced the leaves gradually drooped, and bent down 

 over the flowers to guard them from the rays of the sun. 

 Who can imagine the gorgeousness of an equinoctial forest at 

 midnight with the veils thus lifted off myriads of flowers of 

 every form and hue, which are hidden from our gaze in this 

 or other ways during the hours of a tropical sunlit day, whose 

 brilliancy would be death to their tender texture and delicate 

 colours ? 



This noble tree must be grown in the damp stove. When 

 its seeds are good they are easily raised if sown in light soil 

 and plunged in a tan pit or hot-bed. A rich free soil that 

 will not get hard or sour is the best for its after growth. It 

 is only in a large house that it can thrive well for any length 

 of time, and be seen in its greatest beauty ; and if it is planted 

 out in the border, or in a large tub with sufficient room all 

 round for its leaves, it forms really a magnificent object. 



