314 ORNAMENTAL FOLIAGE PLANTS. 



It is similar in habit to jEncephcHartos and Zanvia, and re- 

 quires similar treatment. It will, however, sncceed per- 

 fectly in a dry warm greenhouse. 



8. paradoxa. — ^A distinct-looking plant, having a stout 

 napiform stem, which does not appear to acquire any con- 

 siderable lengih. The leaves are pumate, two to thijee 

 feet long, on stoutish petioles, which are somewhat woolly 

 at the base ; pinnae oblong lanceolate, bluntish (in some 

 forms quite obtuse), and slightly toothed towards the apex. 

 A ready means of distinguishiug this plant among the 

 Gycads is furnished by the position of the veias, which are 

 here transverse in the pinnse, not longitudinal, as in all 

 other known forms of the order. The male and femal& 

 cones are borne on separate plants, the former narrow- 

 cylindrical, the latter shorter and broader, so as to become- 

 of an ovate form. Native of Natal. 



Stenocaepds. 



A genus of ProteaeecB which is well deserving more 

 general attention, as the species form beautiful objects in 

 the greenhouse or conservatory. They may be found 

 sometimes in collections under the generic names of 

 Agnostus and Embothrium. The soil for these should be 

 composed of peat and sandy loam in equal parts ; and 

 they are increased by cuttings from the ripe wood. 



S. GunningJiam/ii. — A slow-growing but beautiful plant.. 

 The stem is erect ; the leaves from twelve to eighteen 

 inches in length, four or five broad in the widest part, 

 deeply pinnatifid, and dark green on the upper surface, 

 somewhat ferrngineous below. In addition to its ornamen- 

 tal foliage, the bright scarlet flowers — which are produced' 

 from the stem — ^render it an object of great beauty and 

 interest. Native of Moreton Bay. 



