III.] AROIDEjE. yyi 



reproduction, and which is absent in the allied, ornamental 

 " Lily of the Nile " (Richardia cethiopica) of gardens. 



The entire spadix and spathe are liable to be mistaken 

 by beginners for a single flower ; but a comparison of our 

 Type-species with other genera removes all doubt, and 

 proves the spadix to be an inflorescence, bearing innume 



Fig. XQ5. Colocasia cuitiquoriim, much reduced. 



rable flowers. In ihe Richardia of South Africa (not of 

 the Nile, at its familiar name would imply,) the pistils are 

 each surrounded by three abortive stamens {staviinodid), 

 and in the common Indian climbing PotJws the flower*: 

 are hermaphrodite, each with a six-leaved perianth. 



X 2 



