232 



1902, where it had been in cultivation for some time. It flowers 

 in December. 



Of the older species, B. genicidala is most similar to Bikai 

 brasiliensis which, however, is smaller, has fewer, ascending, 

 bracts, and quite differently colored flowers. B. torUiosa is the 

 only other species known to have a three-ranked inflorescence, 

 which is a character that may be of some taxonomic significance 

 as it involves considerable rearrangement of the bracts, and the 

 inflorescence has been supposed to be truly distichous. But 

 unfortunately it is a character not at all adapted to be preserved 

 in herbarium specimens, and only in those few cases where the 

 species have been studied alive can we find out which are dis- 

 tichous and which three-ranked or irregular. 



It is unfortunate that the habitat of the species has been lost 

 track of. The geographical distribution of the various species 

 may have some bearing both on taxonomy and on larger problems 

 of plant geography because of the apparently limited means of 

 distribution possessed by the plant. We have, however, by no 

 means sufficient data on the various species of the group to make 

 any generalizations as to distribution. A large number of the 

 species are known from a single collection, while others, as for 

 example B. latispatlia and B. psittacoruin, are so widely distributed 

 and so common that they occur in almost every collection of the 

 genus. 

 •^ On this account I have thought it worth while to add notes of 

 distribution from several collections which have come within my 

 notice. 



Bihai acuuiinata (Rich.). Near Izabol, Guatemala, alt. circ. 

 750 feet, W. A. KelUrman, Feb. 23, 1907. As nearly as one 

 can tell from dried specimens this plant agrees exactly with B. 

 acuminata, which has not previously been reported north of 

 Colombia. 



B. Chanipneiana (Griggs). Los Amates, Guatemala, alt. 295 

 feet, W. A. Kel/erinan, Feb. 23, 1907. Previously reported up 

 to 4,000 feet. Like the type except for a greenish streak along 

 the keel of the bracts. 



B. Collinsiana (Griggs). El Palmar, dep. Quezaltenango, 



