104 



0. P. w. Culh'cHon. Plate XCV 



Moiisfera dcllciosa. 



The ]\Ion.stera deliciosa, one of the grandest of arid plants, is 

 a native of the mountainous regions of Guatamala and Brazil. 

 It climbs to a height of 12 or more feet, and its leaf stalks are 

 often 3 feet long. It obtains nourishment from the tree upon 

 which it attaches itself. Its leaves are huge and perforated. As 

 the plant climbs, the stems emit aerial roots, many of which never 

 reach the ground. The fruit which has the appearance of an 

 elongated pine-cone, grows to a length of from 6 to 12 inches, 

 and is about Zyi inches in diameter. 



The rind is composed of plates which may be detached when 

 the fruit is quite ripe. It is green in color until it ripens, when 

 there appears a slight tinge of yellow. The creamy-white pulp 

 has a most declicious flavor, somewhat resembling the banana, 

 and also like the pineapple. It re(|uires 18 months to mature the 

 fruit. IVopagation is by cuttings. 



