ON PALMS, CYCADS, AND BAMBOOS. 



when they will thrive splendidly. All are extremely elegant in 

 their early state. They are sometimes propagated by suckers, 

 but fresh seeds are always preferable. 



G. biiiervia is a handsome species, having a slender stem, with 

 pinnate and pendent leaves varying from 2ft. to 4ft. in length ; 

 the pinnae, which vary from 6in. to i2in., are dark green; the 

 petioles are quite distinct on account of the network in which 

 they are enveloped. In G. congesta, an elegant sort with a stem 

 of moderate size, the petioles are sheathing at the base, and 

 bear leaves varying from ift. to 2ft. long, entire or with a bifid 

 apex, and sometimes divided into wide segments. G. elegans 

 produces a slender reed-like stem with sheathing petioles ; the 

 leaves, which are of a bright pink when young, change to a deep 

 green when developed ; they seldom exceed ift. in length, and 

 have some terminal pinn^. G. ferriiginea is another slender- 

 stemmed variety, with beautifully arched petioles supporting arched 

 leaves; the pinn^ vary from ift. to 2ft. in length, and from 6in. 

 to Sin. in width. G. gracilis^ an elegant plant of rather dwarf 

 habit, is in some respects similar to the handsome Cocos 

 Weddeliana^ but has some pinnate and arched leaves, with long 

 deep green pinnae ; it is a useful plant for table decoration. 



G. macrostachys is a graceful plant, producing a slender 

 stem; the petioles, which are sheathing at the base, are of a 

 bright brown colour, and covered with a scaly tomentum ; the 

 leaves are mostly divided into wide segments. This species 

 throws up suckers in large numbers, by which means it may be 

 increased. G. magnifica is another handsome species, producing 

 a rather stout stem, with sheathing and blackish petioles ; the 

 leaves are plaited, vary from 2ft. to 3ft. in length, and have 

 unequal pinnfe. G. Martiana^ and the species known as 

 G. Seeinan?ii, have nearly the same characteristics. G. Martiana 

 is a highly decorative species, producing some beautiful leaves, 

 which, when developed, are of a deep metallic green ; the stem is 

 stout and the petioles are sheathing at the base ; the leaves are 

 reddish-crimson in their young state, vary from ift. to 2 ft. long, 

 and are narrow at the base. Both are well worth growing, 

 G. Porteana^ a handsome species, has a rather smooth and 

 slender stem, with pinnate leaves varying in length from ift. to 

 2ft., beautifully arched, and with sessile pinnas ; it is rather rare 

 in cultivation, and ought to be more largely grown. G. procumbens 

 has often been acknowledged as the most beautiful of the genus on 

 account of its noble habit ; the stem is stout ; the leaves are 

 pendent, pinnate, and vary from 2ft. to 4ft. in length, with 

 pendent pinnae of a deep green colour. G. imdata is a strong- 

 growing and very decorative species ; its stout stem is sometimes 

 i2in. in circumference; the petioles, which are sheathing, are 

 covered with a rough fibrous tissue at the base ; the leaves are 

 arching and irregularly pinnate, and the pinnae are plaited and of 



