252 0ENA3IENTAL FOLUGE PLANTS. 



sharp slender black spines ; the upper surface is smooth 

 and bright green, paler below. This elegant plant is de- 

 serving general cultivation. Native of Tropical America. 



Matjritia. 



An elegant genus of Palms peculiar to South America, 

 some of the species attaining a great height, and supporting 

 a crown of large leaves, which are apparently fan-shaped, 

 an appearance which is brought about by the rachis near 

 the apex being so much contracted, that the pinnte seem 

 all to spring from the same or nearly the same place, but 

 it is not a truly fan-shaped leaf. The flower spikes issue 

 from among the leaves, and are pendulous and branching. 

 The flowers are unisexual, and produced upon distinct 

 plants, but sometimes are found mixed together. The 

 fruits are large, clothed with hard scales, overlapping like 

 a coat of mail. These plants mostly grow upon the river 

 banks, and during the overflowing of the great American 

 rivers, they are the resort of the Guaranes Indians, who 

 erect stages in their tops, upon which they dwell until the 

 water subsides. Mauriiias should be grown in loam and 

 peat, and the pots should be stood in deep pans of water, or 

 plunged in a tank if such convenience exists. They are 

 increased by seeds. 



M. aculeata, — ^This is one of the few species of this genus 

 which it is possible to cultivate. It is a beautiful plant, 

 with somewhat pinnate leaves, which are bright green on 

 the upper side and white below. This plant requires to be 

 potted in equal parts of peat and loam, and the pot must 

 toe either plunged into a tank or placed in a deep pan of 

 water — out of water we have not found it possible to keep 

 it alive. It is a very singular and beautiful stove Palni. 

 Native of Tropical America. 



