REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON PLANTS AND FLOWERS. 33 



but requiring strong lieat and a moist atmosphere to develop its 

 beauties. In a 3"oung state it is not very different in appearance 

 from M. sapientum and its varieties, but as its leaves increase in 

 size, the stem becomes swollen towards the base, and the whole 

 plant assumes more the appearance of a grand compact form of M. 

 ensete, though from this plant it is abundantly distinct. M. superba 

 is a somewhat rare and magnificent plant, but from its size only 

 suitable for those possessing ample room and a large collection." 



The specimen presented by Hovey & Co. was Cycas revoluta^ 

 an old plant, popularly, but, Mr. Williams says, erroneously, called 

 the Sago Palm, since it has nothing to do with the Palms. Mr. W. 

 further says, " as a window plant when young, and for the decora- 

 tion of hall and corridors when large, it is surpassed by none and 

 equalled by few. In Saxony its leaves are extensively used at 

 funerals as emblems of immortality." 



Specimen Flowering Plant. — The successful competitor was J. 

 B. Moore, who brought a good plant of the ^beautiful Lapageria 

 alba. 



Vakiegated Leaved Plants. — For this prize, Hovey & Co., 

 exhibited the following varieties : Alocasia macrohiza var. , Ananassa 

 sativa var., Eurya latifolia var., Agave medio-picta, Bambusa 

 Fortuneivar., and Yucca aloifolia var. 



From W. C. Strong we had Eulalia Japonica var., Croton 

 pictum, C. angustifolium, Pandanus Javanicus, Draccena amabilis, 

 and Agave medio-picta. The plants in these collections were small 

 but well grown. 



For the prize for the best single specimen not offered in any col- 

 lection, H. H. Hunnewell sent a splendid specimen of Anthurium 

 crystallinum, and Hovey & Co. a good plant of Phormium Colensoi 

 var. 



Caladiums. — There were several competitors for this prize and 

 aU the collections were made up of good varieties ; C. M. Atkinson 

 and Hovey & Co. were the successful competitors. There were 

 also some new ones from W. T. Andrews, but though they were all 

 good, there did not appear to be distinction enough between them 

 and the many well known varieties now in cultivation to require any 

 special note. 



Ferns. — Nine named varieties were shown by J. Warren Merrill, 

 as follows : 



AlsopMla australis, a very beautiful species of rapid growth. 

 5 



