( 89 ) 



others, all of which are to be found at Bassein, the chief emporium 

 in the Concan for the fruit ; but they are so extensively cultivated 

 in the Concan, the Deccan, Gujarat, Soonda, &c., as to be within 

 the reach of the poorer classes. A plantation lasts from 4 to 5 

 years, according to soil, climate, &c. The young parts of the 

 spadix are eaten cooked, and are a very delicate vegetable. The 

 leaves form an excellent and cooling application to blistered surfaces, 

 burns, &c. In fact, the Plantain is one of the greatest blessings 

 of Providence to tropical climates. 



URANIA, Hexandria Monogynia; The name of one of the 

 Muses. " Descend from heaven, Urania, by that name, if rightly 

 thou art called." 



"2. U Speciosa, Roxb. Milton. Fl. 2, p 114 ; Ravenalia mada- 

 gascarensis, Sonnerat Voy. t. 124 to 126 ; Jaq. Schcenb. t. 93. — 

 Plantain- leaved Urania. A very elegant tree, with leaves like the 

 Plantain, and very long petioles sheathing the stem, which appears 

 entirely composed of these ; flowers large, white, sessile, alternate 

 and imbricated, sitting in a curious cross-fashion on the upperside 

 of the branches of the spadix. The tree is a native of Madagascar. 

 Parell, Sewree. Does not grow away from the sea line ; a very 

 elegant tree. 



HELICONIA, Pentandria Monogynia. From Helicon, Moun- 

 tain of the Muses. 



3. H BucciNATA, Roxb. Fl. 1 , p 670 ; Rumph. Arab. 5, t. 62, 

 f. 2. — This we insert on the authority of the 1st edition of this 

 1)ook, but we have failed to trace it in gardens, Bombay. With a 

 view to its recognition, we add this short description : — A stemless 

 plant, with large lanceolate glossy leaves, from 2 to 4 feet long, and 

 1 broad, with sheathing petioles from 3 to 6 feet long. Native 

 of Eastern Islands. Introduced by Nimmo in 1833. 



STRELITZIA, Pentandria Monogynia. Named by Sir Joseph 

 Banks in honour of the late Queen Charlotte. 



4. S REGiNiB, Spr. syst. 1, p 833. Redoute liliaceae, t. 77 and 

 78 ; Hort. Kew. 1, p 285, t. 2. — A stemless plant, with thin, reddish- 

 orange large flowers, and the habit of a Plantain. Parell Gardens, 

 Dapoorie ; rare. 



XCIIL— IRIDE^, Loud. Hort. Brit, p 337. 



IRIS, Triandria Monogynia. From zV/s, the rainbow, in allusion 

 to the variety and brilliancy of the colours of this genus. 



1. I Persica, Bot. Mag. t. I. The Persian Iris, or Flower-rle- 

 luce. Introduced by the late Nimmo. Does any trace of this exist 

 in gardens, Bombay ? Information is sohcited. 

 12* 



