at Cloixiance, in Cornt^all. 273 



high ; the diameter of the trunk, at 1 ft. 8 in. from the ground was 2 ft. 3 in. ; 

 and the leaves 7 ft. Sin. long, 13 in. wide, and from 5 in. to 6 in. thick near 

 the base; its rapid increase during the last four years is, most likely, owing to 

 the roots having penetrated into a subsoil more congenial to its growth than 

 the soil in which it was planted. Allowing the plant to be about 25 years old 

 when turned out, it may be considered as being about 56 years old when it 

 flowered. Its site was in the flower-garden, on a border sloping to the south, 

 backed with a fence and shrubbery as shown in the sketch, where it never 

 had any protection, otherwise than by being screened from the north by the 

 shrubbery behind. 



" Indications of its blossoming appeared towards the latter end of June, 

 ■when I perceived that the central leaves were bursting open ; and, being 

 gratified at the idea of seeing it in bloom, I was determined to particularly 

 observe the growth of the flower-stem, and accordingly kept a daily journal 

 of its progress. During the first 10 or 12 days, it grew from Gin. to Tin. 

 in 2i hours : afterwards its daily growth gradually dimini;-hed ; and, when 

 approaching its extreme height, its progress was not more than ^in. during 

 the above period : cloudy weather or a fresh breeze invariably retarded its 

 growth. On the 1st of July, the flower-stem was 10 ft. 11 in. high, and by 

 many it was at tiiat time thought to resemble a gigantic asparagus. On the 

 19th of July, its height was 16 ft. ; and from that period, at about 4 ft. or 5 ft. 

 betow the top, lateral buds began to make their appearance, which, as the 

 stem grew, formed the peduncles on which the clusters of flowers expanded. 

 On the 31st of July, the flower-stalk was 19 ft. high, when there were 13 

 lateral and alternate shoots thrown out. On August 15. there were 22 pe- 

 duncles put forth, differing in length in proportion to their age, the lower ones 

 measuring 2 ft. 6 in. in length, and bearing on their extremities numerous 

 clusters of flower-buds ; these subdividing, and giving space for each indi- 

 vidual flower, and measuring across the clusters from 1-1 in. to IS in. At this 

 period, the height of the stem was 22 ft. 6 in. On the 7th of September, the 

 flower-stem attained its extreme height, namely, 25 ft. ; and the number of 

 peduncles was 34-, besides a cluster of flower-buds on the top of the stem. 

 The first flower-buds began to expand on the 2Sth of September, and on the 

 10th of October the lowermost clusters were in great perfection. The flowers 

 on the whole plant were carefully counted, and the number amounted to 50S8, 

 of the colour of sulphur, and above 5 in. in length. So richly were the flowers 

 charged with a juice resembling honey in the taste, that it dropped from 

 tliem in abundance, especially from about 9 o'clock in the morning until about 

 12 o'clock at noon. Bees came by myriads, and feasted themselves on the fast- 

 flowing fluid. Observing such aquantity of the juice falling on the ground, 

 I put vessels beneath to receive it as it dropped from the flowers, and filled 

 six soda-water bottles with it. After being corked and rested a few days, it 

 was acknowledged to be an excellent cordial ; but after a while it fermented, 

 became acid, and acquired a fetid smell. 



" From the 10th of October to the middle of November, the stately appear- 

 ance of the plant, with its gracefully curved branches expanding like cande- 

 labra, and sustaining such a number of erect blossoms and buds, the flowers 

 beautifully succeeding each other, presented to the eye a spectacle highly 

 gratifying. The upper blossoms were in perfection so late as the 24th of 

 December, when, a frost setting in, they were nipped ; thus terminating the 

 beauty of a plant that will long live in the recollection of its numerous visiters, 

 the number of which, of all ranks, amounted to 7517. It may be worthy of 

 remark, that, as the flower-stalk grew and the flowers expanded, the leaves of 

 the plant became flaccid and drooping, and are now rapidly withering ; but 

 the stalk is still green, and will take several months to get dry. 



" During its progress towards flowering, in order to secure it from the wind 

 and rain, I erected over it a temporary covering with pit lights ; and, under- 

 neath, a flight of steps to a platform 12ft. from the ground, which enabled the 

 visiters to approach the lowermost flowers. — Clowance, Feb. 1838." 

 Vol. XIV. — >'o. 99. t 



