ON PALMS, CYCADS, AND BAMBOOS. 827 



C. nucifera (Cocoanut), apart from its economic properties, 

 is only of limited value, and it is known to present some 

 cultural difficulties. In the tropics it is extremely common, 

 producing an erect stem varying, according to age, from 6ft. to 

 50ft. in height. The leaves are pinnate and vary from 6ft. to 

 1 8ft. in length, with long, narrow, and pendent pinnae of a 

 bright glossy green. C. plumosa is a highly decorative species, 

 producing a most charming contrast while in blossom. After- 

 wards the flowers are replaced by numerous orange - coloured 

 nuts. The stem, which is rather stout, is straight and columnar, 

 and reaches 50ft. in height ; the leaves are pinnate and vary from 

 3ft. to 12ft. in length ; the pinnse are clustered together in 

 bunches from ift. to 2ft. long, and are of a deep green colour 

 on the upper surface and glaucous below. C. Romanzoffiana 

 is a useful species in its young state for many decorative 

 purposes, and ought to be more cultivated. It possesses some 

 long and elegantly-arched plume-like leaves ; the pinnse are long, 

 pendent, and deep green. C. schizophylla is decidedly worth 

 growing on account of its highly decorative properties. It 

 produces long and graceful arched leaves, varying from 6ft. to 

 1 oft. in height; the pinna reach 2ft. in length, and are very 

 narrow ; the petioles are gaily bordered with red edges, which 

 are also protected with stout red spines. C. Weddeliana (Glaziova, 

 elegantissimd) is certainly the most elegant and useful Palm 

 which has ever been introduced into Europe (Fig. 555). It is 

 not necessary to describe its ornamental properties, as it ought 

 to be known by everyone. The stem is slender, and is covered 

 with a quantity of black netted fibres ; the leaves, which are 

 gracefully arched, vary from ift. to 4ft. in length ; the pinnaa 

 are long and narrow, rather pendent, deep green on the upper 

 surface and glaucous below. 



Corypha. — A small genus of stove plants, all very decorative, 

 producing large fan-shaped leaves. The stems, or trunks, are 

 very stout, tall, cylindrical, and almost unarmed. They are 

 crowned with the largest of fan-leaves, and the petioles are 

 armed with sharp spines. Coryphas are not fast growers. They 

 thrive very well in a strong heat, and in a compost of two 

 parts fibrous loam and one part of peat and sand. Drainage 

 must be carefully attended to, as water ought to be liberally 

 applied . through the growing period. Small plants seem to 

 stand very rough treatment, and make the best of room plants. 



C. Gebanga is a rather slow-growing species, producing some 

 valuable leaves used by the natives of Java for thatching and 

 basket-making; a kind of sago is also obtained from the stem. 

 The glaucous, fan-shaped leaves are fully divided into narrow 

 segments, and the petioles are very stout. C. Taliera is another 

 species furnishing useful leaves, of which fans and umbrellas are 

 made. It possesses a stout cylindrical stem, varying from 20ft. 



