io8 GLASS-HOUSES 



of Nepenthes mastersiana proteolytic digestion is due to an 

 enzyme, " nepenthin," and not to a bacterium (" Annals of 

 Botany," 1897). The species grown include IV. curtisii^ 

 dicksoniana, mixta^ and tiveyi several presented by Messrs. 

 Veitch of Chelsea. 



Overhead is trained a fine specimen of a Dutchman's 

 Pipe, Aristolochia elegans^ from Brazil. Here the pitcher- 

 shaped flowers may be contrasted with the leaf-pitchers of 

 Nepenthes. 



The leaves of Oxalis sensitiva, which is occasionally ex- 

 hibited in this house, move, when touched, like those of the 

 Sensitive Plant. 



On the stands will be seen some fine species of Caladium 

 and Pathos, remarkable for their large spreading and often 

 richly coloured leaves. An allied species, Dieffenbachia seguina^ 

 is remarkable for its acidity ; if chewed, it causes the tongue 

 to swell so as to destroy for a time the power of speech, and 

 is hence popularly named the Dumb Cane. 



The Maranta arundinacea is interesting as the plant which 

 yields the West Indian arrowroot, whilst M. bicolor^ lineata 

 alba^ vittata,) and zebrina (now Calathea zebrina) are grown 

 for their ornamental foliage. 



Allied to the MARANTACEAE, which yield a pure and delicate 

 kind of starch, are the Gingers, ZINGIBERACEAE (Scitamineae)^ 

 noted for their hot, stimulating principle. Among them are 

 classed Globba (bulbifera, marantina) ; Hedychium hors- 

 fieldii) and Gardnerianum, remarkable for its large head of 

 fragrant flowers ; Kaempferia pandurata (ethelae, natalensis^ 

 rotunda, and undulatd] ; Alpinia officinarum the Galangal ; 

 Curcuma bakeri^ a genus which supplies both Turmeric and 

 East Indian arrowroot ; Amomum, a Cardamoms genus ; and 

 Costus fissiligulatus and Burbidgea schizocheila. All are in one 

 or other of the Stove-houses. Mantisia sanatoria, the 

 " Dancing Girls " grown in the sixties, is, unfortunately, no 

 longer with us, 



