292 ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



unarmed stems. They are splendid ornaments to tlie stove, 

 but will in all probability be too tender for conservatory 

 or greenhouse decoration. These plants should be grown 

 in two parts peat and one part loam and sand, and liberally 

 supplied with water. They are increased by seeds only. 



P. Martii. — This is a species of recent introduction, and 

 one which bids fair to form a handsome stove specimen, 

 but it will undoubtedly always require stove temperature. 

 The leaves are flabelliform, plaited, and dark green, sup- 

 ported upon smooth unarmed petioles, which are enclosed 

 at the base ia a few rough brown fibres. The seeds of this, 

 species are small, and it is totally distinct from Prpacificay 

 although many cultivators have treated them as the same- 

 species. Native of the South Sea Islands. 



P. pacifica. — A species which will probably prove of, 

 more robust growth than the preceding. The petioles are 

 clothed with a white scaly tomentum, flat above, rounded, 

 below, enclosed at the base in a few coarse brown fibres, 

 and totally unarmed. The leaves are large, flabellate, 

 plaited, and of a rich dark green. This is a most superb-, 

 plant for stove decoration : its seeds are much larger than 

 those of P. Martii. Native of the Pacific Islands. 



Pttchospeema. 

 The members of this exceedingly handsome genus of 

 Palms, which is closely allied to Seaforthia, have all some- 

 what slender stems, varying from ten to eighty feet ia 

 height. They are all smooth, and quite unarmed. The 

 leaves are pinnate. The flower spikes are produced fi-om 

 below the leaves, enclosed in spathes, which, when at 

 their full size, sometimes burst with a considerable report : 

 the flowers unisexual, but produced upon the same spike, 

 the upper branches bearing male flowers only, in pairs,. 



