DEACJ)NA. 193 



garden in the open air, and no collection should be deficient 

 of this prince of its class. Native of New Caledonia. 



D. excelsa. — ^Another very beantifiil species, distinct, and 

 well deserving attention ; the leaves are broadly-oblong, 

 tapering to a sharp point, and narrow at the base ; the 

 colour is a rich bronzy reddish brown, slightly glaucous 

 beneath, and suffused with rosy red as the plants become 

 aged. Native of the South Sea Islands. 



D. ferrea. — ^A somewhat tall-growing plant, with leaves 

 from nine to twelve inches long, about four inches wide, 

 and ovate-oblong in shape ; both surfaces are of a deep 

 purplish red, which renders it a striking object in any 

 situation. It is a useful and highly ornamental plant in 

 the sub-tropical garden. Native of China. 



D. Fraserii. — This is a broad-leaved bold-growing plant 

 of great beauty and thoroughly distinct in appearance ; 

 they are broadly oblong and acute, measuring from ten to 

 fifteen inches in. length and nearly five inches in breadth ; 

 the ground colour is of a peculiar glaucous blackish purple 

 hue, occasionally streaked with Hues of bright rose. It 

 is close and compact in habit, a splendid ornament in 

 the plant stove or upon the exhibition table, but not 

 suitable for the decoration of the dinner-table, on account 

 of its massive denSe habit. Native of the South Sea 

 Islands. 



D. gracilis. — An elegant little species. The stem is 

 slender, and the leaves, which stand horizontally, are 

 upwards of a. foot long, and about an inch in breadth, 

 tapering to a point, bright dark green in colour, the 

 margins bordered with a band of purplish bronze ; being 

 of close compact habit, it can be easily accommodated, 

 and is well deserving general cultivation. Native of 

 Penang. 



