ABALIA. 101 



A. reUoulata. — A very distinct and handsome species, 

 and, like most of this genus, eminently adapted for deco- 

 rative purposes, either in the dwelling-house or stove ; 

 indeed, it succeeds tolerably •well even in the conservatory, 

 although it thrives best in the stove during winter. In its 

 young state it is a fit occupant for any position where a 

 light and graceful plant is required, and when large it 

 forms a beautiful object in the sub-tropical garden ; the 

 leaves are alternate, strap-shaped in a young state, be- 

 coming larger with age, dark green in colour, reticulatfed 

 with a lighter shade of the same. 



A. Sieboldii. — This is a very fine ornamental-foliage 

 plant for the decoration of the greenhouse or conservatory, 

 it also makes a splendid object in the sub-tropical garden ; 

 indeed, it has proved itself perfectly hardy in many places 

 in England, Ireland, and Scotland. It rises upon a straight 

 stem, formiag an umbrella-like head ; the leaves are large, 

 firm in texture, digitate in shape, and deep shining green 

 in colour. Native of Japan. 



A. Sieholdii variegata. — A variety similar in all respects 

 to the species, saving that it has not been proved to be 

 hardy, and the leaves, instead of being wholly green, are 

 blotched and margined with white. Native of Japan. 



A. Sieboldii variegata aurea. — This variety is a somewhat 

 larger and stronger grower than the preceding, and the 

 variegation is rich yellow instead of white ; it is a superb 

 form of this fine plant. Native of Japan. 



A. trifoliata. — ^This plant resembles A. erassifolia, saving 

 that it has three leaves instead of one, and on this account 

 its habit is somewhat more dense. In a young state this 

 plant is admirably adapted for dinner-table decoration ; in 

 its more mature state it forms a beautiful object for the 

 adornment of halls or the drawing-room, and for the sub- 



