PANAX. 273^ 



stems are much inflated about the middle, which is pro-' 

 bably a provision of nature to uphold them, for as this 

 plant is more erect in its growth than the preceding, 

 it will probably grow naturally in deeper water, although: 

 the two species are sometimes found intermixed in a, 

 state of nature. It, like 0. fenestralis, is a natire of 

 Madagascar. 



0. fenestralis. — This is popularly known as the Lace-leaf, 

 or the Lattice-leaf, and is one of the most singular plants 

 in existence. The leaves are from six to eighteen inches 

 in length, and from two to four inches in breadth, oblong, ' 

 with an obtuse apex, and spreading out horizontally be- 

 neath the surface of the water. They are of a dark green 

 colour, and consist of a strong mid-rib, and what would 

 be called the primary nerves of an ordinary leaf, and thus 

 present the appearance of a beautiful piece of network, 

 or of a skeletonised leaf — indeed, it is a veritable living 

 skeleton. The flowers are inconspicuous ; they rise from 

 between the leaves upon a scape, which at the apex be- 

 comes forked, or split into two spikes, upon which the 

 greenish white flowers are situated. If these are fertilised 

 and the seeds allowed to fall into the water, they find ' 

 their way to the soil and germinate freely in a short time. 

 This most extraordinary production of nature is a native 

 of Madagascar. 



Panax. 



P. excelsa. — ^Under this name a plant has been for some 

 time an inhabitant of our gardens, but if correctly so 

 called we are unable to say. It is a very graeefiil and 

 ornamental plant, with arching compound leaves ; the 

 divisions of the leaves are deeply lobed, and armed at the 

 margins with soft white spiiiy teeth, which stand erect, 



T 



