56 MUSA PARADISIACA. 
in length, spatliaceous. Corolla divided into two parts, an upper, and a lower, the 
upper erect, and five-toothed, the lower concave. Stamens generally six, persistent. 
Fruit slightly recurved, with three ang-les, measuring-, when ripe, eight or nine 
inches in length, hy one and a half in diameter, of a pale yellow colour, many 
seeded. In its general external character, this species hears a striking prox- 
imity to the species rosacea, but a little guarded attention and observation will 
soon detect their distinctive differences ; the points in which they nearest resemble 
each other are the form, colour of the leaves, and stem yet in these there exists a 
considerable difference, although not easily discovered by a superficial glance ; this 
consists in the length, breadth of the leaves, and the height the former usually 
grows, all of which are superior to the latter. The most essential distinction will 
be found in the manner the two species produce their flowers, and the dispositim of 
the flower stem ; in the former, or M. paradisiaca (see fig. 2), this consists externally 
Fig. 2. — 
of a great number of spathes of a dark blood colour, which continue to develope until 
it finally reaches the length of four feet, suspended from the centre of the leaves. 
In thelatter, orM. rosacea, instead of producing a spike, the flowers, also spathaceous, 
are disposed singly round the stem, and the corolla is of a clear rose colour. The culti- 
vation of this species is not difficult, and it may be grown with little trouble, provided 
a lofty spacious hothouse be at hand, without which the result will be a stunted and 
