

\ 





b ■ 



presefice or absence of the processes. But while we assent 

 thus fully to the justness of Mr. Herbert's criticism in 

 regard to the value of these processes as a generic distinc- 

 tion, we do not admit the accuracy of his view of their 

 nature. That they are really indications, more or less 

 complete, of a tendency to develope additional stamens, 

 may perhaps be made apparent by a consideration of the 

 structure of other Amaryllideous genera. This order may 

 be said to have normally the same number of stamens as 

 segments of the perianthium, that is to say, two complete 

 whorls ; but at the same time to indicate a strong tendency 

 to the production of another set of stamens between the 

 perianthium and those stamens which actually develope. 

 This is apparent in the cup of Narcissus, in the faucial 

 appendages of Amaryllis calyptrata, and the like, in 

 Mr. Miers' genus Placea, in which six petaloid filaments 

 are superadded to the antheriferous ones, and especially 

 m the genus Gethyllis, in which additional whorls of 

 stamens are constantly completed, so that some of the 

 species are actually polvandrous. It is no argument 

 against the processes of Amaryllideae, whether a cup, or 

 scales, or subulate bodies, or mere glandular projections, 

 being sterile stamens', to say that they do not bear anthers, 

 or to insist upon their variable size and form. These are 

 considerations which can have no weight when contrasted 

 with their uniformity of station, their insensible passage 

 from the most rudimentary state to one of high development ; 

 and finally, with those monstrous Galanthuses, which in 

 forming supernumerary parts between the petals and sta- 

 mens, contmually produce a half perfect anther upon their 

 additional floral envelopes. 



The genus Sphaerotele of Presl, to which that author 

 thinks Amaryllis ignea and cyrtanthoides referable, is 

 clearly not the same as Phycella, as might be thence 

 inferred ; but is nearer Chrysiphiala, from which it differs, 

 according to the figure and description, in its stigma, and 



in the want of a cup. 



Bulb covered with a deep brown skin, and having a 



very long subterraneous neck. Leaves linear, recurved, 

 n^uch shorter than the erect, taper scape. Umbel 3-flowered, 

 with two spathaceous bracteae the length of the peduncles. 



^(■'rianthium reddish purple, somewhat curved, about two 



