68 
THE FLORIST AND POMOLOGIST. 
[ May, 
C ROTON PARADOXUS. 
red, and tlie surface is marked tlirongliout in 
an irregular Irlotcliy manuer with clear yellow, 
passing to red. In certain stages of growth, 
leaves of a different character are produced ; 
thus from one oblong peltate base the costa 
may be continued at the back like an excre¬ 
ment thread, at the end of which another 
elongated leafy portion, having a cupped or 
peltate base, is appended. The form of these 
parts is very variable, as in the preceding 
variet3L 
Another form of this group is the C. para- 
(lo.ais, introduced from the South Sea Islands 
by Mr. Williams, of Upper Holloway. It is 
one of the narrow-leaved series, havincr the 
petioles purplish in the middle, and the linear- 
oblong leaf-blades 10 in. to 12 in. long, and 
about in. broad, and terminating in a teiminal 
spiny point or horn. The variegation consists 
of 3 ’ellow or cream-coloured stripes and spots, 
especially in the centre, on either side of the 
costa, which is pink, and the central portion 
becomes suffused with a pinkish tinge. Some 
leaves are twisted in the centre, others are in¬ 
terrupted, the blade not being continuous 
throughout, but appendiculate. This is a com¬ 
pact and handsome form for table ornamentation. 
Still, another of this set has been intro¬ 
duced, called C. princep)s by Mr. Bull, and 
C. - inutahiUs by Mr. Williams. As the 
latter name implies, it assumes innumerable 
variations of character. Sometimes the leaves 
are lanceolate entire, 12 in. to 15 in. long, and 
1^ in. broad ; sometimes they are interrupted 
about G in. from the base, and enlarge towards 
the apex into a broad, cup-like appendage, 
which continues in the form of a thread-like 
costa for 2 in. or 3 in., when a second append¬ 
age is formed, varying from 1 in. to 2 in. in 
length, and having a peltate base, the costa 
being continued in the form of a horn from 
the upper surface. The colour is a dark green. 
