ON PALMS, CYCADS, AND BAMBOOS. 83 1 



when they will thrive splendidly. All are extremely elegant in 

 their early state. They are sometimes propagated by suckers, 

 but fresh seeds are always ' preferable. 



G. binervia is a handsome species, having a slender stem, with 

 pinnate and pendent leaves varying from 2ft. to 4ft. in length ; 

 the pinnse, which vary from 6in. to i2in., are dark green; the 

 petioles are quite distinct on account of the network in which 

 they are enveloped. In G. congesta, an elegant sort with a stem 

 of moderate size, the petioles are sheathing at the base, and 

 bear leaves varying from ift. to 2ft. long, entire or with a bifid 

 apex, and sometimes divided into wide segments. G. elegans 

 produces a slender reed-like stem with sheathing petioles ; the 

 leaves, which are of a bright pink when young, change to a deep 

 green when developed ; they seldom exceed ift. in length, and 

 have some terminal pinnae. G. ferruginea is another slender- 

 stemmed variety, with beautifully arched petioles supporting arched 

 leaves ; the pinnse vary from ift. to 2ft. in length, and from 6in. 

 to 8in. in width. G. gracilis, an elegant . plant of rather dwarf 

 habit, is in some respects similar to the handsome Cocos 

 Weddeliana, but has some pinnate and arched leaves, with long 

 deep green pinnae ; it is a useful plant for table decoration. 



G. macrostachys is a graceful plant, ' producing a slender 

 stem; the petioles, which are sheathing at the base, are of a 

 bright brown colour, and covered with a scaly tomentum ; the 

 leaves are mostly divided into wide segments. This species 

 throws up suckers in large numbers, by which means it may be 

 increased. G. magnified, is another handsome species, producing 

 a rather stout stem, with sheathing and blackish petioles ; the 

 leaves are plaited, vary from 2ft. to 3ft. in length, and have 

 unequal pinnas. G." Martiana, and the species known as 

 G. Seemanni, have nearly the same characteristics. G. Martiana 

 is a highly decorative species, producing some beautiful leaves, 

 which, when developed, are of a deep metallic green ; the stem is 

 stout, and the petioles are sheathing at the base; the leaves are 

 reddish-crimson in their young state, vary from ift. to 2ft. long, 

 and are narrow at the base. Both are well worth growing, 

 G. Porteana, a handsome species, has a rather smooth and 

 slender stem, with pinnate leaves varying in length from ift. to 

 2ft., beautifully arched, and with sessile pinnse; it is rather rare 

 in cultivation, and ought to be more largely grown. G. procumbens 

 has often been acknowledged as the most beautiful of the genus on 

 account of its noble habit ; the stem is stout ; the leaves are 

 pendent, pinnate, and vary from 2ft. to 4ft. in length, with 

 pendent pinna? of a deep green colour. G. undata is a strong- 

 growing and very decorative species; its stout stem is sometimes 

 i2in. in circumference; the petioles, which are sheathing, are 

 covered with a rough fibrous tissue at the base; the leaves are 

 arching and irregularly pinnate, and the pinnse are plaited and of 



