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102 
GLEANINGS AXD ORIGINAL MEMORANDA 
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373. A]^GR.ECUM MONODON. A SI 
lowered with M. Pescatore of Paris. 
A». monodon ; subacaule, foliis distichis 
membranaceis rotundatis cucullatis, se- 
tundo basi dente solitario aucto calcare 
This curious little species was ob- 
tore, from whom we received a specimen 
distichous leaves, and small 
with 
(Fig. 187, much magnified.) 
oblong is 
oblong, distichous leaves, 
seeds of a horse-chesnut. 
Its specific 
tooth which stands on the lip in front of 
the accompanying cut, which represents 
374. Ataccia cristata. Kimtli. 
Tacca Eafflesiana Jack.) A dingy- 
Malacca. 
duced by the Royal Botanic 
Both Endlicher and Kunth, though 
Ataccia for the entire-leaved species of 
oblique bilobis, racemis angustis multifloris, bracteis minimis 
palis petalisque ovatis acutis, labello subro- 
crasso clavato breviore. 
tained from Gabon in Africa, by M. Pesca- 
a year and a half ago. It has roundish, 
reddish flowers, smelling something like the 
name refers to the presence of a small erect 
the opening into the spur, as is sho^\'n in 
a flower six times larger than natural. 
Belongs to the Natu- 
{alias Tacca cristata Jack ; alias 
flowered tuberous stove-plant from 
ral Order of Taccads. Intro- 
GardeUj Kew. 
they follow Presl in adopting this genus 
Tacca^ yet express their doubts as to the 
propriety of the separation. I am in- ""^ competent to pronounce, through a want of 
recent specimens of the original Tacca, on the value of the distinctions : but, judging from the figures and dried 
specimens, the difference is more in habit than in essential character. Tacca has multifid leaves and tuberous roots, and 
may be considered an annual plant. Eutacda has entire leaves, a short subterraneous conical stem or caudex, quite different 
from the tubers of the former. There is no difficulty, therefore, in recognising the respective genera. 
A. cAdata, the subject here figured, has been long cultivated in the stove of the Royal Gardens of Kew, under the 
name of Tacca hitegnfolia Gawl., and is a native of the Malay Islands and Archipelago. Tacca aspera Roxb, (T inte- 
gnfolia Gawl. in Bot, Mag, t, 1488, and of Roxb. Coromandel plants, vol. iii. t, 257), from Chittagong, may be known by 
the short scape or flower-stalk, which, as well as the petioles, are scabrous. Tacca Icevis Roxb., from Silhet Gualpara, 
and Chappedong (Wall.) and Assam, is easily recognised by the four sessile uniform leaves of the involucre, and small 
and slender habit. Tacca lancecefoUa ZoU. (Ataccia Kth.), is probably a variety of the latter, — All these are Indian : 
but I possess another and distinct species from Demerara, South America, with a creeping rhizoma! There are few 
more remarkable-looking plants in cultivation than our Ataccia cristata. Root a few coarse fibres, issuing from a short, 
undergroimd, conical, descending caudex or rhizoma, marked with the rings or scars of fallen leaves, and here and there 
throwing 
Leaves three or four, all from this short caudex. Petioles semiterete, smooth: 
the blade oblong, acuminate, dark purple-green, penninerved, nerves mostly prominent beneath. Scape about as long as 
terminated by a large, dark purple, four-leaved, membranaceous 
involucre: the two outer leaflets opposite, sessile, ovato- acuminate, striated, patent, two inner placed side by side, erect, 
tapering 
narrow, deep purple base. Peduncles numerous, dark purple, about two inches long, terminated each by a single flower 
form 
filiform sterile ones, six inches long, which spread out in their lower portion, while the rest of the tendril-like 
peduncle droops. Perianth dark purple; the tube turbinate, six-angled, for the greater part united with the ovary; the 
limb sexpartite, suddenly reflexed; the segments or lobes in two series, outer smaller, the inner larger, all ovato-rotundate, 
acute, striated, the rim of the mouth forming a crenated ring. Stamens six, within the mouth of tlie tube ; filament broad, 
the margin lamellate and plaited, the back cohering with the perianth; anther cucullale, two-celled: pollen globose. 
Ovary adherent with the calyx tube, one celled, having three longitudinal, furrowed, parietal placentfe, bearing several 
ovules.^ Style short, conical, six-fun'owed. Stigma of three, broad obcordate, green, reflexed, plaited lobes; the edges of 
the plaits ciliated. This singular tropical plant is of easy cultivation. It grows and flowers freely in a moist, warm 
stove. A mixture of light loam and peat-soil suits it, and, being a native of moist places, it requires a copious supply of 
water. It increases freely by offsets, which are produced from the sides of the erect rhizome-like caudex; these offsets, 
when separated, root readily in small pots placed in a close moist atmosphere.— ^o<. Mag., t. 4589. 
375. PniLADELPHrs Satsumi. SiehohL A hardy deciduous slirub, with white flowers. Native 
of Japan. 
Syri 
Blossoms in July. (Fig. 188.) 
We have failed to discover in what work this plant has received the name by which it has been sent to this country. It 
forms 
bush, vMtli a good foliage of a dark green colour, with the upper leaves very long, narrow and undivided. The foliage is 
serratures. 
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