62 
BOTANICAL COLLECTIONS. 
[upper 
which is covered with the permanent bases of the leaves, and bears at 
its summit a tuft of long grass-like leaves, and numerous leafy- 
peduncles terminating in dense globose heads of flowers. A tall stem 
of this plant is placed against the Western Wall of this room. It is 
cut longitudinally, so as to exhibit the remarkable structure of its 
interior. Specimens of the nearly allied Dasypogon Hookeri, also 
from Western Australia, are placed in this Case, as well as the remark- 
able South African plants, Prionium Palmita, great woody rushes which 
grow in beds of rivers, often increasing to such an extent as to choke 
them. The stem attains a height of ten feet ; it is covered by the 
wiry fibres of the bases of the old leaves, which are so strong as to be 
made into brushes. The lower part and back of the Case are occupied 
by specimens of XantJiorrhea, the Black-boys or Grass-gum trees of 
Australia. The stems are generally simple, sometimes branched, as in 
one of the specimens. The permanent bases of the leaves form a 
thick covering round the stems, protecting them from destruction by 
the fires that blacken their exterior, whence the origin of the colonial 
name of Black -boy. A resinous secretion occupies the space between the 
trunk and the leaves, and connects the leaves together. The stem is 
crowned with a tuft of long wiry grass-like leaves, from the centre of 
which rises the flower stalk, with its great cylindrical spike of flowers, 
several specimens of which are in the Case. One of the most remark- 
able species of arborescent Liliacese is illustrated in Case 9, viz., 
the Dragon Tree of Teneriffe (DraccBna Draco). Several branches 
are shown, and some longitudinal and transverse sections exhibit the 
internal structure. At first and for many years the trunk is simple, 
but in course of time it branches, and increases in diameter by 
external additions. A small portion of the famous tree of Orotava, 
which perished a few years ago, is placed on one of the shelves. This 
endogenous tree was seventy-nine feet in circumference at the base, 
and innumerable branches sprang from the summit of its huge trunk. 
The small order Velloziace^ is represented by a fine series of 
arborescent Vellozias. They are natives of dry mountainous regions 
especially in Brazil, to the vegetation of which they give a special 
character. A fine large specimen occupies the body of the Case, and 
several smaller forms, some cut longitudinally and transversely to 
show their internal structure, are placed on the shelves, as well as 
two allied species from Tropical Africa, presented by their discoverer, 
the late Dr. Welwitsch. The stems of these plants are small ; the 
diameter is increased by the imbrication of the long clasping leaf 
bases, and by the development towards the base of roots descending 
between the stem and the leaf bases. Specimens of the tuber-stem 
of the Elephant's-foot (Testudinaria elephantipes)^ from South Africa, 
and a large Orchid stem [Dendrobium taurinum), are also placed here. 
To the back of the Case are attached specimens of the infloresence 
and fruit of Urania speciosa, the Travellers tree of Madagascar, so 
called from its leaves when cut yielding an abundant and refreshing 
clear drink to the thirsty traveller. 
The order PALMACEiE occupies the four Cases 10-13, which follow. 
