66 FLOWERS OF 



botanists may learn that these species differ from others 

 of the genus in having very small, almost imperceptible, 

 calyces and caudal appendages to the seeds ; these last 

 greatly facilitating the attainment of a situation favour- 

 able for their growth. Four species of the Cleroden- 

 dron also adorn the banks of the Sarawak river, two of 

 them bearing white, one scarlet, and one crimson 

 flowers ; one of the white ones emits a grateful perfume. 



The Clerodendron which bears the crimson flowers is 

 the most handsome of them all ; it grows to a shrub of 

 ten feet in height, having at the point of every branch 

 a large loose spike of rich crimson flowers ; the head of 

 the flowers is frequently three feet in height from the 

 foliage rarely less than two forming with the bracts 

 and stems, which are equally crimson, a magnificent 

 pyramid of flowers ; each being relieved by a beauti- 

 fully white centre and the long protruding stamens ; 

 the foliage is also fine, being heart-shaped, very large, 

 and dense. This fine species, which is now growing 

 we 1 .! in England, I have named after Captain C. Drink- 

 water Bethune, R.N., C.B., whose kindness in Borneo 

 was of the greatest assistance to me, and who, on his 

 return, was successful in introducing some of the 

 finest of the Borneo plants. 



When the Clerodendron has ceased flowering, the 

 crimson bracts and calyx which remain are scarcely 

 less gaudy than the flowers, and each calyx contains 

 within it a four-seeded berry of the richest blue colour. 

 Scitaminae, an order not much cultivated in England, 

 produces some beautiful plants here of the genus 

 Alpinia, and others. A fine white-fringed flowered Big- 



