rious Arums, and
more especially has this one been sought after; I have, therefore,
introduced it amongst more beautiful flowers, and given an enlarged
drawing of the entire plant, together with the spathe in its unopened
state.

The plant is a native of Minorca, and was imported in 1777. In this
climate it grows to the height of 18in., developing the flower with the
foliage. It is produced on a stout scape nearly 1ft. high, of a pale
green colour, marked with dark short lines and spotted with delicate
pink dots. The folded spathe is of leather-like substance, rough, almost
corky in texture; also variously marked and tinted. At the base there
are a number of green lines arranged evenly and longitudinally on a
nearly white ground. A little higher--the belly part--the lines are less
frequent, irregular, and mixed with pink dots. Still higher, the ground
colour becomes pale green, the lines dark green, and the pink spots are
changed to clouded tints; the remainder of the folded spathe--to the
tip--is a mixture of brown and green dots, the total length being fully
9in. When the spathe opens, it does so quickly, bending more than half
its length outwards, the division looking upwards. To those who have not
before seen the plant at this stage, it will prove an interesting
surprise; the odour, however, is repulsive. The spathe at its widest
part is 6in. broad, and tapers off to a blunt point. It is of a dark
purple colour and covered with long bent dark hairs, whence the specific
name. They are curiously disposed, and remind one of some hairy animal
that has been lifted out of the water the wrong way as regards the
direction of the hair. The spadix is comparatively small, black, and
also covered with hairs. The flower should be closely watched if its
peculiarities are to be fully noted, as it not only opens quickly but
soon begins to wither. During the short period that the flower is open
the lower part of the spathe or belly becomes filled with all kinds of
flies, being held by the spear-like hairs.

[Illustration: FIG. 17. ARUM CRINITUM.

(One-fourth natural size.)]

The leaves have long stalks, marked and tinted in a similar manner to
that of the scape. They are curiously formed and twisted, pedate or
bird-foot shaped, the outer segments twice cut, lance-shaped, and
turned inwards or over the main part of the leaf; the leaves are of a
deep green colour, and of good substance; they seldom exceed four in
number to each p