136 



DOMESTIC BOTANY. 



feet in height, and being divided into spreading segments. 

 The flowers are borne near the ground, and are enveloped in 

 a dark brown spathe, and have a very offensive odour. This 

 and other allied species furnish a considerable quantity of 

 nutritious food to the natives in India. 



Godwinia gigas, a native of Nicaragua, has recently 

 been introduced to this country. It has a rhizocorm larger 

 than a man's head, from which rises a single leaf, which with 

 its petiole is 13 feet in height. Its flower stem being 4 feet 

 high, bearing a spathe 2 feet in length, of a dark brown 

 colour, and very offensive odour. In the latter respect, it 

 does not much surpass Arum Dracunculus, or Dracun^ 

 cuius vulgar a native of the south of Europe, and common 

 in gardens. 



Monstera deliciosa. A native of Mexico, and an epi- 

 phytal climber ; its stems are about an inch in diameter, 

 extending to a great length, and furnished with large cordate 

 lobed leaves perforated with holes. The fruit is about the 

 size of a small pineapple, consisting of pulpy fruits of a pink 

 colour and most delicious flavour. It grows and fruits freely 

 in the hot-houses of this country. 



Dumb-cane (Dieffenhachia seguind). A native of the West 

 Indies, having a fleshy cane-like stem 1^ inch in diameter, 

 and from 4 — 6 feet high. Its leaves are oblong elliptical. 

 It is highly acrid and poisonous. If a portion be chewed in 

 the mouth it causes the tongue to swell, and loss of speech 

 for some time ; hence the name " Dumb-cane." Alocasia dis- 

 tillatoria, a large-leaved species, has the same effect. 



Trumpet Lily or Lily of the Nile {Richardia cethiojnca, 

 better known as Calla cethiopica), is a native of eastern 

 Africa, and grows in wet places from Egypt to the Cape of 

 Good Hope. It is recorded as having been introduced to 

 this country 130 years ago. It grows freely in the green- 

 house, and its pretty white flowers (spathes) have made 

 it a favourite ornamental plant in rooms, &c. 



Within the last few years many species of Alocasia with 

 leaves of a metallic lustre, and Caladiums with parti-coloured, 



