ON PALMS, CYCADS, AND BAMBOOS. 835 



plants. Latanias require a substantial compost of two-thirds loam 

 and one-third peat and sand. Water must be applied generously 

 during the growing period. Propagated by seeds. L. Commersoni 

 (L. rubra), a noble and distinct species, has a smooth and 

 slender stem ; the petioles are also smooth, long, and of a beautiful 

 deep red ; the cuneate and recurved leaves are of a shiny green, 

 and the segments are ornamented by reddish edges or bands. 

 L. Loddigesii (Z. glaucophylld) is a tall and handsome species, 

 very seldom showing its stem in cultivation except when the 

 plant has fully developed its leaves ; the petioles, which vary 

 from 3ft. to 8ft. in length, are rather stout, of a glaucous green ; 

 the palmate, shining-green leaves have a glaucous hue, and vary 

 from 2ft. to 4ft. ; the segments are very broad. L. Verschaffeltii 

 (Z. aurea) is another beautiful species ; its rather stout stem is 

 of moderate height ; the petioles are also stout, erect, and of a 

 glaucous hue at the base, reaching 3ft. to 4ft. high, and bearing 

 large palmate leaves, which are divided into numerous narrow 

 segments of a fine green colour on both sides. 



Licuala. — A quite distinct genus, composed of handsome fan- 

 leaved plants of rather compact habit, requiring very moist stove 

 treatment and general culture like Geonomas. The flower-spikes, 

 which are branching, have a quantity of incomplete spathes, 

 and the leaves are terminal, with prickly stalks. The species 

 thrive in a ' compost of two parts peat and one part sandy 

 loam, and they are easily propagated by seeds. Only a few 

 are in cultivation. L. elegans is a handsome ' species but rather 

 slow-growing. The petioles are 2ft. to 3ft. long, and bear some 

 fine fan-shaped leaves, which are in most cases split down to 

 the petiole. The segments are plaited, vary from i2in. to i8in. 

 in length, and are bright green. Z. grandis (Pritchardia 

 grandis) is quite a distinct variety, producing a stem which often 

 reaches ioin. in circumference, and from 4ft. to 6ft. in height, 

 covered with a pretty crown of bright green leaves. The petioles 

 vary from 2ft. to 3ft. in length and are slender and spiny. This 

 species flowers freely when it attains the size mentioned. 

 L. peltata is another elegant species, with digitate, fan-shaped, 

 dark green leaves ; these are divided into segments straight down 

 to the petioles, which are somewhat prickly on the margins. 

 L. spinosa (Z. horrida), which was previously regarded as 

 synonymous with L. Rumphii, is now classed as a typical species. 

 Z. Rumphii is also a distinct sort. It is a quite characteristic 

 species on account of its enormous spines, which protect the 

 stout petioles. The leaves are large, deep green, and fan- 

 shaped. An extremely decorative stove plant. L. Jeannencyi is 

 a very elegant Palm, with fan-shaped, much-divided fronds 

 reaching right to the base. 



Livistona. — A remarkable and useful genus on account of 

 the decorative properties of its species, most of which are 



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