Convention—11E3IARKABLE trees and plants. 187 
leaves are used for thatching, and for many other purposes, and the 
leaf stalk for the partitions and outer siding of houses. The leaf 
stalk contains about a quart of water; this is obtained by piercing 
the thick part of the base of the leaf with some sharp instrument, 
and the water obtained is pure, pleasant, and refreshing to the 
traveler. 
The Grass Tree is a native of Australia, and from a distance, re¬ 
sembles the palm. It does not attain to a great height, and is sup¬ 
posed to be many centuries old before it reaches four feet. It has 
a shrubby stem, with tufts of long, wavy, coarse grass-like foliage 
at the summit, which is highly relished as food by all kinds of cat¬ 
tle. A long cylindrical spike, covered with hundreds of pinkish- 
white flowers, shoot out from the center of tjie tree; the inner leaf, 
after being roasted, is an agreeable article of food; a resinous juice 
exudes from the body of the tree, that is much used as a medicine, 
and when mixed with a certain kind of clay, makes a valuable ce¬ 
ment. 
The largest flower known is the parasitical Paffiesia Arnoldi. 
A well developed flower measures a yard in diameter, and weighs 
fifteen pounds. “Seen from a distance, through the dark green 
leaves of the vines among which it grows, the rich wine tint of the 
flower, flecked with spots of a lighter shade, is said to impart a 
warmth and brilliancy of color to the whole surrounding scene.” 
The center of the flower is cup-shape, and usually holds about a 
quart of water; it produces but one leaf, which is about fourteen 
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feet long. Storks and other large birds walk over it with as much 
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ease as if on dry land. The carrion-like odor of the flower is very 
disagreeable. 
The Ink Plant is peculiar to New Grenada, and the simple juice 
is used without any other preparation. This vegetable ink is said 
to be of a reddish color when first used, but becomes perfectly black 
after a few hours; and it is said to be so indelible that it keeps its 
color for all time. 
The Flint Plant, although living and growing, exhibits no sign of 
life, as “ it has no foliage whatever, but little pellicles of fine flint 
bud out of the twigs and stems, which latter are likewise encircled 
with rings of flint at every joint. In some places the flint, which 
it appears has exuded from the plant itself, cases the stem like a 
pipe.” The bushy plant looks like a dead stick, but upon bending 
