854 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



Welfia. — A genus embracing only two stove unarmed 

 Palms, producing terminal and pinnatisect leaves, on flat and 



short petioles. 

 The segments 

 are extremely- 

 narrow at the 

 base. Only one 

 species is in 

 cultiva t ion. 

 W. regia is a 

 most beautiful 

 species, reach- 

 ing in its native 

 country 6oft. in 

 height ; it is of 

 rather slender 

 habit, and may 

 be employed 

 for table de- 

 coration when 

 young, the 

 leaves being 

 then gaily 

 coloured with 

 a bronzy tint; 

 when fully 

 developed they 

 change to a 

 bright green, 

 and are divided 

 into numerous 

 pinna?. This 

 plant requires 

 a substantial 

 soil composed 

 of rich loam, 

 veget a b 1 e 

 increased very easily by seeds. 



Fig. 572. — Wallichia caryotoides. 

 mould, and sand, and is 



Cycads. 



The majority of the species of the order Cycadaca are extremely 

 curious on account of their vegetation, and are decidedly orna- 

 mental plants for both stove and dwelling-house decoration; they 

 may also be employed for sub-tropical gardening, as is the case 

 with the graceful Cycas revoluta, which will remain throughout 

 the summer in a protected situation. Cycadacce form a small 

 section of Palm-like plants which are supposed to be closely 

 allied to the Conifera. Their stems are mostly erect or 



