168 THE BAMBOO GARDEN CHAP, VI 
very downy, and prettily fringed with longer hairs at the in- 
sertion of the leaf. As in their native country, so here, the 
culms die down every year in the winter; and since in our 
climate the new shoots do not make their appearance until the _ 
summer is well advanced, it follows that for some months of 
the year the plant is but a poor withered thing, and that, in 
spite of its undeniable beauty when at its best, it cannot be 
recommended for general cultivation under the difficulties by 
which it must be surrounded in all but the most favoured 
spots of our country. It is to be noted that in the temperate 
house the plant seems to change its nature. Safe from the 
attacks of snow and frost, its culms do not die down but re- 
main green and flourishing like those of its congeners. The 
home of ARUNDINARIA FALCATA is in the north-western 
Himalayas, where it has been found as high as 12,000 feet 
above sea level. 
In my remarks upon ARUNDINARIA FALCONERI I have 
drawn attention to the confusion which has existed between 
it and ARUNDINARIA FALCATA. 
