226 
tration, made from a photograph of the large plant already re- 
ferred to. This cone is a most striking object at the present 
time. It is nearly cylindric, abruptly narrowing above into an 
acute apex. It has a length of twenty-four inches and a diameter 
of about six inches; its color is an orange-brown. The indi- 
vidual scales of the cone are obovate. cuneate, with an upturned 
point about one quarter of an inch long at the apex. On the 
under surface of these are borne, in great numbers, the pollen- 
sacs. The pistillate inflorescence consists of a narrow leaf-like 
toothed organ, with the ovules inserted along its edges. 
mong others of this genus will be found large plants of 
Cycas revoluta, a native of China and Japan, and commonly 
known as the sago-palm. The pistillate plant of this species is 
very common, while of all the plants which have formed a part 
of the Garden collection from time to time not one has developed 
a staminate cone. The leaves of this species, the commonest 
member of the genus in cultivation, are used for decorative pur- 
poses, and Jarge numbers of them are imported yearly from 
Japan. The Garden desires exceedingly to secure a staminate 
eae of this plant. 
One of the rarest plants in the callection:1 is Stangeria eriopus, 
native of southern Africa, where it is known as the Hottentot’s 
Head. This plant was described "aad illustrated in the Journal 
(10: 163, p/. 62)in the July issue of this year, on the oécurrence 
of tts production of a pistillate cone. This genus is known to 
contain but a single species and two so-called varieties which 
perhaps may be of more than varietal rank. 
The south African genus Encephalartos contains about twelve 
collection. These are Encephalartos horridus, well-named from 
its vicious-spined leaves, and Lucephalartos villosus, known as 
the golden-fruited Kaffir-bread. Both species are represented by 
large vigorous plants. 
Of the known species of the family about one-half are from the 
New World, and the greater part of these, between thirty and 
thirty-five, are in th nus Zamia, found in some one or more 
of its species from southern Flotida, through the Bahamas and 
