8i6 



THE BOOK OF GARDENING. 



like a partially open fan provided with a great number of ribs, 

 all radiating from the centre. It is of a rather slow growth. 



Brahea. — A very small genus composed of dwarf Palms, 

 represented in cultivation by only a few species, which thrive 

 in the greenhouse during the summer months. The leaves are 

 fan-shaped, and the flowers are hermaphrodite and green. Braheas 

 require a rich fibrous compost and abundant saturation through 

 their growing period. B. dulcis is a rare and slow-growing species, 

 possessing a stout stem, with petioles partly protected at their 

 base, by a network of brown fibre, clothed with woolly tomentum, 



and armed all alon? the 

 edges with a multitude of 

 spines ; the leaves are 

 nearly circular, plaited, and 

 shining green. 



Calamus. — A very in- 

 teresting genus represented 

 by many species. Dcemono- 

 rops^ which formerly was 

 united to Cala??n<s, is now 

 separated, Calamuses have 

 their flowers densely 

 clustered upon branching 

 spikes, every branch having 

 a separate spathe which 

 is not long enough' to 

 enclose it. For the charac- 

 teristics of the other divi- 

 sion, see " Daemonorops." 

 Calamuses are all of 

 slender growth, some of 

 them climbing very high 

 in their native countries, 

 while others rarely exceed 

 2oft. The species in general 

 are very decorative in their 

 young state, and may be 

 are also verv handsome 

 of loam and vegetable 

 as well as a copious 

 be effected by suckers, 



Fig. 548. — Calamus ciliaris. 



used for table decoration. They 

 the stove. A rich soil composed 

 in equal quantities is required, 

 of water. Propagation can easily 



grow pretty freely from the base. C. accedeiis is an 

 slender-growing species, rather rare, and dwarf in 

 . which ought to be more largely grown. It produces 

 long, arching, deep green, pinnate leaves, the pinnae being 

 long, rather narrow, and somewhat closely set. The petioles 

 are provided with slender black spines.' C. adspersus is a 



m 



mould 

 supply 

 which 

 elegant, 

 stature. 



