52 MUSA CAVENDISHII, 
November last, at the same time giving it its present name, M. CaueacU^'hiL For 
an idea of the whole plant, see (fig. 1.) 
Our plant showed indications of 
flowering in September last by put- 
ting up a small imperfect leaf; this 
was shortly followed by the spike 
(spatha) of flowers. Owing to the 
lateness of the season, the flowers de- 
veloped themselves but slowly : the 
first week in November it commenced 
flowering, and has continued without 
intermission ever since ; on the flower- 
stalk there are 100 fine fruit swelling* 
off ; unfortunately it had been kept in 
rather a small pot, or there is no doubt 
but it would have perfected a greater number. Fig. 1. 
The plant before us diff'ers widely from any of the known species of this genus, 
and particularly from the common dwarf kinds, the leaves being very short and 
thick, with short petioles or leaf-stalks. With respect to the fruit, which is its 
most valuable quality, an extract from a letter addressed to our friend, Mr« 
Cooper of Wentworth, dated March 1st, 1835, from Mr Newman, superintendent 
of the Royal Gardens at Mauritius, will at once explain. " Returning again to my 
experimental garden, I have a dwarf sort of JBanana which has fruit of an exqui- 
site flavour, and I think would do well in England with very little care in the 
hothouse. I have gathered 240 fruit from a single raceme, and in less than a year 
after planting : if you like to have a fewplants, I will with pleasure send them ; I feel 
confidant that ere long this and several other varieties of Musa will be cultivated 
for the tables of the great in England." 
The plant is not more than four feet six inches high ; had it flowered at a more 
favourable season, we have every reason to believe it would have swelled off more 
than double the quantity of fruit it is now doing. 
We have a very healthy plant, which we intend to grow with every possible 
care, and there is no doubt but a great crop of fruit will be gathered. If our anti- 
cipations should prove correct, what a valuable addition this will be to our exotic fruits ! 
A pit forty feet long, fifteen broad, and five high, will produce several hundred- 
weight of fruit in a year, with no other care or attention than that of giving plenty 
of manure to grow in, and a good supply of heat and water. It will fruit at all sea- 
sons, and no doubt with easier culture than any kind of fruit grown under glass. 
