112 OENAMENTAl FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



of both sexes are produced together, they yield one-seeded 

 fruits. Erom some species of Bactris the walking canes 

 known as " Tobago Canes " are obtained. The plants 

 comprising this genus are all easily grown, and although 

 some species do not make handsome plants as they 

 approach maturity, they are very ornamental when young, 

 and as they all sucker very freely, it is easy to maintain a^ 

 few elegant young ones, discarding the old and useless 

 plants. They should [be potted in loam, peat, leaf mould, 

 and sand, in equal parts. 



B. haauUfera. — Leaves pinnate, bifid at the apex, from 

 two to six feet in length ; pianas arranged iu clusters, 

 about a foot long, and two inches broad, dark green 

 above, paler below ; petioles sheathing, and densely 

 clothed with sharp brown and black spines, which are an 

 inch and a half ia length. Native of South America. 



B. flamispwia. — This is an elegant Palm of low growth, 

 with pinnate leaves, which are bifid at top ; the pinnae' 

 are clustered, from six to twelve inches in length, and 

 one m width, dark green ; petioles sheathing at the base< 

 and furnished with a profusion of long yellow spines, 

 which are tipped with black. Native of Brazil. 



Bambusa. 



A genus of Grammacece, many species of which are 

 hardy, or nearly so, and are fit subjects for the decoration 

 of the open border or pleasure ground. The genus is of 

 immense importance to the inhabitants of tropical coun- 

 tries, for their stems are turned to a vast quantity of 

 uses. 



The species enumerated here requires the warmth of 

 the stove to develope its beauties, and if sufficient 

 space can be given it will form a magnificent object. 



