152 STOVE PLANTS. 



with a stem about eight' inches in circumference. The leaves 

 are entire, oblong, about three feet long and six inches broad, 

 and of a bright dark green. The inflorescence is terminal, 

 about a foot long, famished with spathes of a brilliant scarlet, 

 tipped with yellow, the flowers which they enclose being 

 yellow. It flowers during the summer months, and is highly 

 ornamental, lasting for a long time in blossom. Native of 

 Cochin China. 



MuSSaiNDA, 



A very pretty genus of Ruhiacem, the species of which, like 

 Bougainvilleas, are indebted for their chief attractions to the 

 large floral leaves or bracts, which are formed by the enlarge- 

 ment of one of the segments of the calyx. Several species 

 are in cultivation, but other very beautiful ones yet remain to 

 be introduced"; for instance, one West African species has 

 deep crimson calyx leaves, as large and as rich in colour as 

 the floral leaves of Fuinstttia imlcherrima, and which would 

 be a splendid addition to our stoves. The Mussanclas are 

 easily grown into handsome bushes, and should be potted in 

 a' mixture of peat, loam, and leaf mould, in about equal pro- 

 portions, with- the addition of some silver sand. 



M. frondosa. — A handsome plant, with dark green, some- 

 what ovate, slightly hairy leaves. The flowers are produced 

 in terminal racemes, and are bright yellow, one segment of 

 the calyx being expanded into a large elongate ovate-acute 

 bract, which is pure white. These bracts are said to be 

 eaten by the Cingalese as a salad. It blooms during the 

 autumn months. Native of Ceylon. 



M. luteola. — This very pretty species, which is of 'dwarf 

 compact habit, was obtained from seeds brought home by 

 Captain Grant, on his return from his expedition to the 

 White Nile. The leaves are about two inches long, oblong- 



