NAT. ORDER. AROIDEjE. 
157 
plant, now very generally to be met with in little domestic selections. 
The whole family of these plants are natives of tropical countries, where 
they are found abundantly, but of temperate climates rarely, not ex- 
tending- in Europe further north than 64 ° north latitude, in the form 
of Callas, which inhabit the muddy, frozen marshes of South Lapland. 
In cold or temperate climates they are usually herbaceous, while in 
tropical countries they are often aborescent and of considerable size, 
frequently clinging' to trees by means of their serial roots, which they 
protrude in abundance. In America their principal station is on the 
submontane region between 1200 and 3600 feet of elevation, where 
the climate is temperate, and the rains abundant. In the Andes, Pothos 
pedatus and Pothos quinquenervius, two of the species, grow on a 
height of 8400 feet. 
Propagation and Culture. This plant is readily increased by 
offsets from the root, which should be separated in the autumn, and 
planted out singly in pots of light earth, where they will grow and be- 
come full plants the following year. The plants may be kept in the 
open air during the summer, but during the winter they should have 
the protection of the green-house or a garden frame. These plants, 
from the singularity, of their growth, and their being constantly furnish- 
ed with leaves, have an agreeable effect, and produce much variety 
among other potted plants. 
Medical Properties and Uses. A principle of acridity generally 
pervades this whole tribe, and exists in so high a degree in some of 
them, as to render them dangerous poisons. The most remarkable is 
the Caladium seguinum, one of its species, and a native of the West 
Indies and South America, growing to the height of a man : this plant 
has the power when chewed of swelling the tongue and destroying 
the power of speech. Dr. Hooker relates an account of a gardener 
who incautiously bit a piece of the dumb cane, when his tongue swell- 
ed to such a degree that he could not move it ; he became utterly in- 
capable of speaking, and was confined to the house for some days in 
the utmost excruciating torments. 
