The nature of the singular body which occupies the 
place of the stigma in this genus deserves investigation. 
Which part of it is the stigmatic surface ? What is the 
nature of the four lines which radiate from the centre of 
the disk, and become forked just withinside the margin ? 
Does the under surface of the disk exercise any functions 
connected with those of the stigma ? By what means is 
the pollen conveyed to the apparent stigma ? 
A stemless, herbaceous plant, with a prostrate, shri¬ 
velled root-stock, like that of Iris. Leaves erect, a foot long, 
lanceolate, cartilaginous, flat, acuminate, dark-green, ob- 
soletely 7-nerved, quite smooth on each side; footstalk 
rigid, compressed, half-round, channelled, about three 
inches long. Flowers solitary, growing from the root, and 
scarcely elevated above the surface of the soil. Perianth 
cernuous, campanulate, fleshy, pale green outside, dotted 
with purple on the inside; segments 8, ovate, obtuse. 
Anthers 8, sessile. Stigma clypeate, very large, filling the 
whole orifice of the flower. 
Requires the heat of a stove. The proper soil is a 
light peaty loam. 
