■286 OENAMENTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS, 



its growth ; the leaves are more spreading, and the pinnas 

 «,re longer and not so wide. It is one of the hardiest 

 Palms, suitable for greenhouse decoration, and is invaluable 

 for out-door decoration in summer. This is a common 

 plant throughout the East Indies. 



P. tenuis. — This is the most elegant species as a young 

 plant, and it is of too recent introduction to our gardens 

 to speak of it in any other way. Resembling P. daetyUfera 

 in general appearance, it is, however, more slender and 

 finer in all its parts ; it will prove a valuable addition 

 for the decoration of apartments and the dinner table, 

 as well as for the beautifying of the plant stove. Native 

 of the East Indies. 



Phoemicm. 



A genus of highly ornamental plants, belonging to the 

 natural order I/iMaeeoe. The species longest known, and 

 npon which the genus was founded — P. tenax, commonly 

 •called New Zealand Flax — produces a most excellent fibre, 

 and it is a matter of regret that the cultivation of this 

 plant has not been largely carried on, as the plant is of 

 •easy quick growth, and the fibre it yields possesses every 

 good quality. But leaving their economic qualities, we 

 turn to their points of interest to the horticulturist, as 

 it is in this light, we doubt not, that most of our readers 

 will view them ; and as decorative plants they certainly 

 take first rank. P. tenax is almost hardy ; indeed, in 

 Ireland we have frequently seen magnificent masses of this 

 ^species, which have stood quite unscathed the rigours of an 

 Irish winter. Whether the variegated kinds will prove 

 equally hardy we cannot say, but we do not think it prob- 

 able ; still they will always be most valuable for the deco- 

 ration of the greenhouse and conservatory, for halls and 



