472 



BOTANY. 



Sub-Order Musce, with five polliniferous stamens (rarely six). 



The genus Musa contains several exceedingly valuable plants. M. 

 sapientum, the Banana, and M. paradisiaca, the Plantain, of the trop- 

 ics everywhere, are large herbs, 3-5 metres (10-15 ft.) high, with the 

 sheathing petioles of their large leaves forming a tree-like stem. 

 Their well-known fruits constitute almost the sole article of food for 

 millions of people in the tropics, and are also largely exported to all 

 countries. It has been calculated that from twenty-five to sixty-six 

 tons of bananas can be grown upon an acre of ground, supplying more 

 nourishment to man than is afforded by any other plant. They are 

 considerably grown in hot-houses, both as ornaments and for their 



Fig. 365. Part of a flowering plant of the Banana, showing the unfolding flower- 

 bud and the young fruits. 



fruits. From their leaves and petioles a good fibre is obtained, and 

 from the allied M. textilis of the East Indies is obtained " Manilla 

 Hemp," so much used in the manufacture of various textile fabrics. 



Strelitzia Regince, of the Cape of Good Hope, is a common conserva- 

 tory plant. 



Sub-Order Zingiberce, with one polliniferous stamen, bearing 

 a two-celled anther. Several of these tropical plants are important. 



Curcuma longa, of the East Indies and tropical Pacific islands, has 

 a yellow colored rhizome, which constitutes the well known dye, 

 "Turmeric." 



Zingiber officinale, the Ginger Plant, probably a native of India, is 

 now grown in most tropical countries for its aromatic rhizomes, which 



