GLOBBA SALTATORIA. 
MONANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
SECT. II. SCITAMINER. 
Gry. Cuar.—Anther double, embracing the style ; 
filament long, flexile, with i h 
Spc. Cuar.—lInflorescence radical ; é I 
filament very long, slender; an appendice of two square-shaped lateral 
processes, one on each side the anther, and two long filif i i 
Syy.—Globba radicalis. Roxb. Pl. Cor. can 
Globba subulata. Roxb. Fl. Ind. vol i. p. 78. 
Globba purpurea. Andr. Bot. Rep. 615. 
Mantisia saltatoria, Opera-girls. Curt. Bot. Mag. 1320. 
DESCRIPTION. 
Root perennial, composed of numerous diverging fleshy fibres; stems annual, slender, two feet in height; 
leaves alternate, bifarious, sessile, narrow, linear, from six to nine inches long; villous on both sides, terminating 
in a withered filiform point; scape radical, panicle erect, about a foot high; flowers alternate, sessile ; bractes 
solitary, large, ovate, purple ; calyx superior, three-toothed, permanent; corolla tubular, long, slender; upper lip 
in three sections, one erect, the two others reflexed ; lower lip much larger than the divisions of the border, deeply 
bifid, flaccid ; filament very long and slender, finely grooved for the reception of the style, furnished near the base 
with two long subulate appendices, or wings; anther double, embracing the style, and expanding at the sides with 
two square-shaped lobes, or wings, which alone sufficiently mark this species; style long, very slender, frequently 
escaping from the grooved filament, and giving additional lightness to the singular appearance of the flower ; capsule 
globular, purple, size of a small cherry, six-ridged, one-celled, opening in three valves, spontaneously from the 
apex ; seeds numerous, small, oblong, villous. |The whole of the scape and flower, including the bractes, are of a 
beautiful light purple, or violet colour, excepting only the lip, which is of a bright yellow. 
OBSERVATIONS. 
« Found wild in the forests of Chittagong, by Mr. W. Roxsuren, and by him introduced into the Botanic 
Garden at Calcutta in 1801, where it blossoms in April, May, and June. There is a constant succession of flowers 
from the lengthening branches of the panicle, for nearly two months, which renders this lovely plant one of the 
most charming of the whole natural order that I have yet met with.”—Rowxburgh, Flor. Ind. vol. i. p. 78. 
It flowers in our stoves about the same period. In a few remarks on Dr. Roxburgh’s description of the 
Monandrous Plants of India, published in the Linnean Transactions, (vol. xi. p. 270,) I had expressed my assent 
to the separation of this plant from the genus Gopna, and to its constituting a new genus under the name of 
Manvista, as proposed by Dr. Sims, (in Bot. Mag. No. 1320,) chiefly on the ground there stated, of its radical 
inflorescence. Subsequent experience has, however, decidedly shown, by repeated instances, that the distinction 
between a radical and terminal inflorescence in Scitaminean plants, is merely specific, and must not be considered, 
in any degree, as contributing to ascertain the genus, which must depend on the parts of fructification only. We are 
d with Alpinias that flower immediately from the root, and Zingibers from the extremity of the 
now acquainte' 
stem: which are yet so clearly ascertained with respect to their genera, as to leave no doubt on the subject. In like 
; ‘ 
we find the Globba in both its radical and terminal species; but cannot, on that account, comftitee Gham 
manner 
as different genera. 
The name of Mantisia was given t 
called Manrrs—that of Saltatoria from a fancied 
ned, in preference to the proposed name of Radicalis, which, in consequence of 
») 
o this plant, from its being supposed to bear some resemblance to the insect 
likeness to opera girls dancing. To avoid more alteration than 
necessary, the latter has been reta 
the discovery of other radical species, would now lose its distinctive character. 
Me Globba Spathdata of Roxb. (Flor. Indien, vol. <p: 80,) flowers|also) wath\(a, radical panicle, 
e Globba 
REFERENCES. 
1. Corolla and filament, with the anther and appendices. 
2, Ditto seen at the back, with the germen and processes. 
3, Floral bracte. 
4, Calyx. 
