THE LADIES' FLORAL CABINET. 
9 
lia fragrans, as some call it, we could not name, either 
for the stove, greenhouse, or the sub-tropical garden in 
summer. Apart from its stately aspect, it bears large 
succulent fruits possessing a luscious Pine-apple flavor. 
The reason why this fruit is not more appreciated is on 
account of its being invested in an outer Igyer, consist- 
devoted exclusively to tropical Aroids, still it may grow 
to perfection in small houses provided there is sufficient 
heat and moisture. It is never, however, seen to 
thorough advantage unless it is so placed that the 
roots have free access to water in aj.sim.ilar manner 
to that suggested by the engraving, which represents 
Monstera Deliciosa (Ed ble-fruitcd Tropical Arum). 
ing of short, stiff hairs, similar to those found in Rose 
hips, but this can be wholly removed if the fruit is 
perfectly ripe, leaving the succulent part of the fruit 
entire. In some large gardens it is, like the Banana, 
grown especially for its fruits, and is considered a choice 
addition to the dessert. Though the gigantic stature of 
this noble Aroid, such as it assumes in its native habitat 
(the forests of Mexico), can only be .seen in spacious 
hothouses, as, for example, in those at Kew, which are 
a fully-developed specimen bearing fruit. E" It delights 
in places where it can cling to a moist wall, or twine 
its pliant branches round the stem of a tree'for support, 
and where also its thong-like roots can dip] amK ramify 
in a water tank, which is usually placed in all Tropical 
hothouses. 
“When grown in these hot, moist stoves, r it develops 
rapidly, and its singular perforated foliage, together 
with the quaint forms which it often assumes, strikes 
