ELABiS. 203 



almost suggest the name of tabuliforjne. Leaves some two 

 feet in length, and rather less than an inch in breadth, 

 tapering to a point, toothed at the edges like the elongated 

 jaws of the sword-fish, the whole surface above and below 

 densely covered with white scales, which give it the appear- 

 ance of being covered with hoar frost. It is an exceedingly 

 rare and beautiful plant. Native of Tropical America. 



D. rarifiora. — This species, though it cannot boast the 

 attractive qualities of the preceding plant, is nevertheless 

 a very neat and interesting one, specially adapted for a 

 window plant, or for the decoration of a Wardian case 

 devoted to succulent plants. It has rigid recurved greyish 

 green leaves, and. scarlet flowers, somewhat resembling 

 those of certain Aloes. Native of Brazil. 



Elaeis. 



This genus contains but two species, which, independent 

 of their ornamental qualities, are exceedingly interesting 

 to the cultivator, upon account of their yielding so much 

 of the Palm Oil of commerce. As a genus lElaeis is dis- 

 tinguished by its large somewhat obovate heads of fruit ; 

 the flowers are unisexual, and borne upon distinct plants, 

 although more rarely both occur upon the same individual. 

 The leaves are pinnate and spreading, and from its hardy 

 constitution it can be used for the decoration of the green- 

 house or apartments in summer, as well as in the stove. 

 These plants sometimes produce a few suckers, but the 

 principle method of increasing them is by seeds. 



U. guineemsis, — ^The plant from whence is obtained the 

 African Palm Oil, and some idea may be formed of its 

 importance, when we state that oil to the value of about 

 a million and a half of money is annually imported to this 

 country. The stem rises to a height of twenty or thirty 



