230 Mr. White's Description and Natural History 



always an object of much competition ; and the best sources of it 

 being now in possession of the English, accumulate fresh conside- 

 rations for becoming better acquainted with its history. 



When it is further premised, that the information here given is 

 founded on documents ever judged most likely to attain the ob- 

 ject of all useful investigation, namely, the testimony of intelli- 

 gent natives on the spot, and actual inspection during a tem- 

 porary residence undertaken for the purpose, the writer deems no 

 further apology necessary for bringing forward the fruits of his 

 observation. 



I. 



BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION. 



monandria. monogynia. 

 Amomum Cardamomum. 



Calyx double, each spathous and lubular. Outer and inferior 

 arising from the proper pedicle, embracing the inner calyx 

 to near its summit, split before, keeled and pointed behind, 

 withering. Inner and superior iani\e\-iorm, lax, continuous 

 with and rising from the top of the germen, ascending with 

 and reaching above the middle of the tube of the corolla. 

 Border 2- or 3-cleft, unequally finely scored, permanent. 



Corolla monopetalous, funnel-form. Tube ascending, cylindrical 

 below, compressed a little upward, marked with three su- 

 perficial furrows, evanescent as they descend from the di- 

 visions of the inner border. Border double, unequal. 

 Inferior and outer reflected to the interior, membranous, 

 3-parted. Divisions oblong-linear, obtuse, with margins a 

 little intiected, and ends turned up slipper-wise ; the middle 



or 



