CHAMiEEOPS. 167 



fine black fibres. Leaves fan-shaped, and split into narrow 

 erect segments ; flower spike produced from amongst the 

 leaves, and enclosed in an oblong boat-shaped spathe, 

 which is dark brown, with a marginal white band. It is 

 said to be a native of Mexico. 



G. humilis macrocarpa. — ^The present plant is a robust- 

 growing form. The stem is stout, and as its name implies, 

 its fruits are larger than the ordinary type; It is of a very 

 hardy constitution, and produces an abundance of its grey 

 or blue green leaves, even in a young state, and is admirably 

 adapted for room decoration or window plants. Native of 

 Northern Africa. 



G. Jiystrix. — ^An extremely rare species. Stem stout, 

 clothed with woolly- fibres and long woody spines ; petioles 

 somewhat triangular and glaucous, as are the fan-shaped 

 leaves upon the under side. Native of the Southern United 

 States of America. 



G. MarUana. — Stem slender ; petioles from eighteen to 

 thirty inches in length, armed at the edges with small 

 spines, and clothed with a fugacious tomentum. The base 

 of the petioles is enclosed in a network of dark brown per- 

 sistent fibres ; the blade is strikingly fan-shaped and stiff, 

 and has a very distinct appearance, from being split down 

 so regularly all round into narrow segments, which are 

 bright green on the upper side, and grey below. This is 

 a somewhat slow-growing species, but a very beautiful 

 one. It is a fine greenhouse decorator, and is equally 

 usefiil in the sub-tropical garden. Native of the Hima- 



G. PoUmetto. — ^This is a slow-growing plant, but valuable 

 on account of its hardiness. The leaves are fan-shaped, 

 divided into long narrow segments, and glaucous green 

 in colour. It is specially adapted for decoration of cor- 



