There exist no figures of this fine plant, that I am aware 
of, except those of Jacquin and PLuMIER above quoted, the 
latter of which gives a very much reduced representation of it. 
In both of these, however, the midrib and the lateral nerves 
are so distinctly marked, that I cannot but wonder at the leaves 
being defined by Linnavs and all succeeding authors as 
“ enervia.” 'This character, indeed, is meant to be put in op- 
position to the distinguishing mark of P. lanceolata; the fo- 
liage of which, besides having a midrib, is furnished with a la- 
teral nerve on each side, near the margin, which give rise to the 
term “ folia trinervia.” 
JACQUIN mentions this species as an inhabitant of the vast 
mountain forests of Martinique, in which island it is known by 
the name of Rat’s-tail. 
It has flowered in the stoves both of the Liverpool and 
Glasgow Botanic gardens, and was received by them from Ja- 
maica. According to the Hortus Kewensis, its first introduc- 
tion into Britain was in 1790, when it was brought by 
Etcocx, Esq. from Barbadoes. 
Fig. 1. Leaf of a very young plant; and Fig. 2. Full grown Spadix, natu- 
ral size. Fig. 3. Portion of the spadix, with flowers. Fig. 4. Young 
stamens. Fig. 5. The same, more advanced. Fig. 6. Pistil.—All but 
Figs. 1. & 2. more or less magnified. 
