340 THE FLORAL WOELD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 



it diffuses. The bud whicli is to produce the leaf will grow all the 

 more vigorously. 



In 1870, I was enabled to observe the first fructification of my 

 Amorphophalli, which occurred simultaneously at the Luxembourg 

 Gardens and at Hamma, in Algeria. In July the fruit had attained 

 full maturity ; it is of a pulpy texture, red in colour, and clustered 

 in catkins, having a considerable analogy to tbat of the common 

 arum, or of Jrum Italicum. 



The leaf does not show until after the inflorescence has died off; 

 then, rising from the self-same depression in the upper surface of the 

 root, appears another bud, likewise composed of scales, from the 

 centre of which appears a sort of stem, which grows lustily ; this is 

 the petiole, which later will have to support the full spread of the 

 magnificent leaf. Big, cylindrical, glabrous, and furrowed longi- 

 tudinally, it ascends rapidly, with a tumid but closed summit ; then, 

 as it increases in size, and attains a height of 30 or 40 centimetres 

 (11 to loin), the extremity opens, and three articulations, hereto- 

 fore accrete, divide and separate, spreading out into three n)aiD 

 ramifications. These articulations next subdivide, and produce other 

 articulations, lateral, distichous, alternate, which in their turn 

 produce others, thus elaborating the skeleton of a gigantic peltate, 

 and irregularly-dissected leaf. Meanwhile the petiole continues to 

 grow, sometimes attaining a height of three feet, and the disk forma. 

 The extremities of the ramifications now become folded over like the 

 reflex lips of a vase, and the leaf of the AmorpJiophaUus Rivieri, 

 with its profound inclinations, its multifold articulations, and its 

 wing-like segments, presents the appearance of a most graceful 

 monophyllous palm. 



To the elegance of contour of the plant itself must be added the 

 peculiar appearance of the leaf-stalk, which is somewhat rough, of a 

 very intense green colour, from which the reddish, whitish, or purplish 

 patches stand out in relief, a peculiarity observable likewise on the 

 articulations of the leaf, and which gives to the epidermis generally 

 the appearance of a serpent's skin. The spike bearing the inflo- 

 rescence has previously presented the same characteristics. The 

 petiole is round and {full, but towards the base may be observed an 

 alveola, in which are formed the two forthcoming buds, one to bear 

 the next year's flower, the other the leaf, both of them being renewed 

 annually. 



The AmorpTiopliallus Rivieri is almost always monophyllous, a 

 single petiole forms, and consequently a single leaf is produced. 

 Cases have, however, been met with in which several leaves have 

 appeared on a single stalk. The aspect is not less pleasing, although 

 lees regular. 



The culture of Anvorplwphallus Hivieri is simple, but certain 

 precautious are indispensable to secure a luxuriant growth. My 

 mode of treatment is the following : — The vegetation of the plant 

 invariably begins to show itself about the middle of April. Pots 

 should be in readiness of suitable sizes, so that the largest parts of 

 the bulbs may be surrounded by 1 or 2 centimetres (i to ^ id ) of 

 soil ; very light earth from the orangery is ^preferable ; they are 



