ALOCASIAS. 181 



with their distinctly marked and often oddly shaped 

 leaves. Like the Anthuriums, the plants are propa- 

 gated from suckers, seeds or cuttings of the rhizomes. 

 The soil suited to them is not unlike that for Anthu- 

 riums, except that a larger proportion of lime can be 

 used. They prefer a temperature of 60 to 65 degrees af 

 night during the winter, and 75 or 80 degrees in the 

 summer, with a moist atmosphere. An exception to 

 this rule regarding the soil is Alocasia macrorhiza, and 

 its variegated form, which delight in a rich compost of 

 fibrous loam, sand and rotten manure in equal parts, in 

 which, with an abundance of water and plenty of heat, 

 they will grow to a large size. One of the most inter- 

 esting species is Alocasia Thibatitiana (at the left in Fig. 

 65), which has curiously lobed, greenish-black leaves, 

 with broad, white veins. A. metallica (Fig. 66), (prop- 

 erly A. cuprea) has glossy, metallic, dark green leaves, 

 with a purple luster beneath. 



Aglaonema (Fig. 67) is an Arum closely allied t» 

 Alocasia and requires the same care. 



