

40G MR. J. O. BAKER ON COLCniCACE^l AND 



in which all the characters just stated as characteristic of the 

 suborder are found combined. The other four tribes, Anguilla- 

 riese, Uvulariese, Heloniese, and Tofieldieae deviate from it more or 

 less decidedly. 



Another point to be noticed is that amongst the genera placed 

 under Colehicacese we find by far the greater number of those 

 regarded as Liliacese which recede conspicuously from the ideal 

 Liliaceous type, or connect Liliacese with other natural orders. 

 The principal Colchicaceous genera that fall under this head are 

 the following, viz. : — 



Weldenia. Segments of the perianth three instead of six. 



Hewardia. Stamens three, and leaves equitant and disti- 

 chous. An excellent connecting link between Liliacese and 

 Iridacese. 



Milligania, by its inflorescence, habit, and pilose leaves and 

 flowers much resembles Astelia. 



Chionop*aphis. Three perianth-segments suppressed, and fila- 

 ments nearly or almost suppressed. 



Stenanthiurn and Anticlea. Perianth at the base adnate to the 

 ovary. 



Pleea. Leaves distichous. Stamens 9-12. Seeds tailed at 

 the tip. 



. Trianiha. Leaves distichous. Seeds tailed at both ends, as in 

 JSTarthecium and Juncus. 



Tofieldia. Leaves as in the two last, but the seeds not 

 tailed. 



Petrosavia. A true parasitic Saprophyte, with all the leaves 

 rudimentary and scariose, and an apocarpous trimerous pistiL 



Scoliopus. Ovary unilocular, with three parietal placentas. 



A certain number of the Cape and Australian genera, as 

 Wurmlea, Anguillaria, Dipidax, and Bur char dia, by the firm 

 texture and persistent duration of their flower-wrappers, recede 

 from the Liliaceous type in the direction of Juncacese. A large 

 number of the Veratrese and Helonieae are decidedly polygamous 

 a character almost unknown in Liliacese verse, but found in several 

 genera of Asparagacese. The curious unilocular reniform anther 

 of the Veratrese is unique in the natural order. In Liliacese verse 

 there are many large and few monotypic genera ; and they fall 

 readily into natural tribes. In Colchieacese none of the genera 

 are large, and many contain only one or two species ; and, with 



