CYCADACEOUS PLANTS. 



some of them spiny. Cycads, like Palms, yield various useful products, the most 

 generally grown, C. revoluta, supplies a kind of starch which is used as sago. 

 Caffra bread is made from Encephalartos and Zamias yield arrowroot. Cycads in a 

 fossil state have been found in the coal measures of this country. There are seven 

 genera and several species of the very distinct plants under notice ; but only those that 

 are generally cultivated can be usefully described here. They arc raised from seeds in 

 the manner described for Palms, and also increased by rooted suckers or offsets. 



Species foe Cultivation. 



Cycas. — C. revoluta is the 

 most popular of all the Cycads. 

 It is a native of China, and 

 handsome specimens are to be 

 seen at most plant exhibitions, as 

 well as in numerous conserva- 

 tories. The stem is stout, and 

 is surmounted by a crown of long, 

 dark-green pinnate leaves (Fig. 

 11G). C. circinalis, East Indies, 

 also a good exhibition and warm 

 conservatory plant, forms a mode- 

 rately stout stem, while the leaves 

 are erect (as shown in the back- 

 ground of the figure) and from 

 6 to 12 feet long, shining green 

 on the upper surface and paler 

 below. Potted in strong loam and 

 river sand, they make quick pro- 

 gress in a moist plant stove. 



Fig. 116. Cycas eevolut.i 



Dioon. — D. 



from the fact of its producing edible seeds, a native of Mexico, when well grown 

 proves ornamental and attractive. It forms a very stout stem and pinnate, glaucous 

 green leaves, 3 to G feet in length. Pot in loam and river sand. While the leaves 

 are forming the plants should have the benefit of the heat and moisture of a 



