1 Dec., 1897.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 453 
long from the base to the geniculation, and about 1 in. from there to base of 
lamina. Inflorescence appears terminal, erect, solitary, or sometimes two near 
together with little or no network of old leaf-sheaths to support them. 
Peduncles 6 to 7 in. long, terete, under 4-in. diameter, soft. Spatha deciduous, 
2} to almost 4 in, long, acuminate, rather spreading. Spadix cylindrical, sessile, 
at first rather slender, attaining a diameter of over 1 in. when in fruit, 23 to 
1 in,long. Stamens only seen in very bad condition, slightly elevated above 
the ovary. Ovary somewhat compressed, angular, the apex conical with a linear 
stigma. Seeds numerous, 26 in one fruit examined, oblong, cuneate, slightly 
tuberculate. 
Hab. : Scrubs on range about Cairns, HZ. Cowley. 
R. Lovelle, Bail. (n. sp.). (In honour of Miss Lovell, to whom I am 
indebted for the ample specimens from which I have been enabled to give the 
present diagnosis:) A lofty climber. Stem compressed, 2 in. or more in 
diameter, emitting roots from the underside into the bark of the trees over 
which it climbs like the ivy; clothed particularly in the leafy parts with a net- 
work formed of the fibrous remains of the stipular sheaths. Leaves near the 
influrescence pinnatisect, 23 ft. long, the segments 1-costate, irregular as to length 
and breadth, often 15 in. long, ensiform and somewhat falcate, usually obliquely- 
truneate at the end, about 15 on each side of the stout midrib, the lamina of 
the broader segments sometimes perforated with elongate openings, the 2 or 
perhaps 8 basal segments often confluent and thus 2 or 8-costate. Petiole 
channelled, stout, 18 to 20 in. long without the 2 in. between the geniculation 
and the lamina. Inflorescence appearing terminal, erect, crowded, often as 
many as half-a-dozen representing all stages from the opening of the spatha to 
the ripening of the fruit, all bound together by the beautiful network of the 
old stipular sheaths. Peduncles stout, 5 or 6 in. long, over 3-in. diameter, often 
hard. Spatha about 9 in. long, at first nearly white, then yellow on both sides, 
thick, cymbiform, closing round the end of the spadix and ending in an 
elongated acuminate point. Spadix sessile, very stout, cylindrical, about 8 in. 
long, pale-yellow. No perianth. Stamens 4, filaments flattened, anthers 
exserted above the ovary. Ovary truncate, 4-angled. Stigma linear, rather 
sunk in the ovary, the ovules seem to be 2. Berry very juicy. (See plate 
showing inflorescence.) 
Hab.: About 20 miles from Cooktown, Miss Lovell ; and ranges about Cairns, 2. Cowley. 
The difficulty in obtaining suitable specimens of plants of this order 
from distant localities is felt, not only in this but in most countries, and it 
is principally from this cause that we find the published descriptions so 
frequently imperfect. This trouble is in a measure obviated by the cultivation 
of the plants, which can only be carried out in Europe at large establishments, 
such as the Royal Gardens, Kew. But descriptions drawn up from theze 
cultivated plants are often misleading when compared with specimens off the 
plant in its wild state. R. Lovelle accords in some respects with Hooker’s 
description of the Indian species, 2. decursiva, but not in my opinion 
sufficiently to allow of its being recorded under that name.- I think it very 
robable that the foliage of the two Australian species has been gathered 
y collectors, and is now placed in European herbaria under the name of 
R. pinnata, Schott. The description given in the Flora Austr., vii., 156, does 
not agree with either of the Queensland species. I have given the description 
of leaf from near the inflorescence only, as in all probability the foliage varies 
much in other parts of the plant. : 
