182 .OKNAMENTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



D. aerotrichum gradle. — TMs variety is exactly the re- 

 verse of the preceding, for the leaves are much narrower, 

 oftentimes longer, and are very pendulous. It forms a 

 pleasing contrast with the others, and is particularly 

 adapted for the decoration of apartments ; it should be in 

 every collection. Native of Mexico. 



D. glaucum. — This is a grand and handsome plant, with 

 stout stem and large compact head of leaves, which are 

 about two feet and a half in length, less than an inch in 

 breadth, fringed at the edges with small teeth, tipped at 

 the apex with a small tuft of brown fibres, and of a deep 

 blue green. Native of Mexico. 



D. glaucmn latifolium. — A variety of the preceding, some- 

 what more robust in growth, and with broader leaves ; a. 

 very fine form. Native of Mexico. 



D. plumosum. — This is perhaps the most beautiful kind 

 yet introduced to our gardens ; it is like a very larg& 

 form of the D. acroiricltwm, with broader and longer leaves, 

 which in the young state fall over like a plume ; the older 

 leaves are quite pendulous. Native of Mexico. 



D. serraiifolium. — Stem stout ; leaves from two to three 

 feet in length, and broader than any of the above, the 

 edges are armed with long white teeth, which are some- 

 what distant, and the apex is tufted with a few brown 

 fibres, and both surfaces are glaucous green. Native of 

 . Mexico. 



Dbsmonctjs. 



Palms with long slender ascending stems, and pinnate 

 prickly leaves, which are produced into long whip-like 

 tails at the ends. They are all natives of South America, 

 and have somewhat the habit of the Indian genus Gala/mus 

 — which, however, is as purely eastern as Besmoncus is. 



