442 IMUSACEtE. [part ii. 



of which are abortive, as in the Orchidacese ; 

 but the pollen does not cohere in masses, and it 

 is not inclosed in a kind of pouch or bag. The 

 ovary is three-celled (though the cells are some- 

 times imperfect), and many-seeded ; the style 

 is filiform, and the stigma is dilated and hollow. 

 The fruit is generally a capsule ; but in some 

 cases it is a berry. 



ORDER CLXXXV.— CANNES. 



The most interesting genera are — Canna^ con- 

 taining reed-like plants with brilliant flowers ; 

 as, for example, C. indica^ the Indian Shot ; 

 Thalia^ a curious aquatic ; and Maranta, the 

 tubers of which furnish India Arrowroot. The 

 flowers in their construction greatly resemble 

 those of the preceding order ; but the fila- 

 ments of the stamens are petal-like, and it is 

 one of the side stamens that is perfect, the 

 middle and the other side stamens being always 

 abortive. The fruit is always capsular. 



ORDER CLXXXYL— MUSACEiE. 



The genus Musa is known by its fruit, which 

 is eaten under the names of Plantain and Ba- 

 nana. The flowers are produced in spikes, en- 

 closed in spathe-like bracts, which are often 



