168 POPULAR GEOGRAPHY OF PLANTS. 



To the east of the Himalayas we meet with " some im- 

 portant forms of plants, through which vegetation assumes 

 another character." We find not only Plantains and Bana- 

 nas, but arborescent Grasses rivalling these in height. As 

 we shall now so often meet with Bananas and Plantains, it 

 may be as well to mention that both belong to a tribe called 

 Musacea ; in appearance there is very little difference be- 

 tween them, both having similar very large, oblong, flapping 

 leaves. " A spike of flowers springs up from the centre of 

 these leaves ; the flowers are arranged round the spike in 

 whorls, each whorl being protected by a coloured bract, 

 which afterwards drops off and allows the fruit to expand 

 and ripen." The fruit of the Plantain is used only as a 

 vegetable, whilst that of the Banana is fit for dessert; in 

 shape it is not unlike that of the Vegetable Marrow, but 

 smaller, and grows seven or eight together in a cluster. 

 Some practice is generally necessary in acquiring a liking 

 for the flavour, which is something like a Pear in a state of 

 decay. 



Many also of a tribe called the Cycas tribe grow in this 

 part of the Sub-Tropical Zone, to which the peculiarity be- 

 longs (in common with a few other plants, such as the Fir 

 and the Yew) of forming a connecting link between the 



