approximation towards the genus Sprekelia, but in no Hip- 
peastrum is there any convolution of the lower sepals, of 
which the base in our plant is in a very singular manner 
obliquely enlarged so as to enclose the filaments. Both spe- 
cies of Sprekelia differ from Hippeastrum in having narrower 
leaves and a black-coated bulb, and their pollen magnified 
appears a little narrower and more acute. It may be a ques- 
tion to be ascertained by horticultural experiments, and the 
examination of species yet unknown, whether Sprekelia is a 
section of Hippeastrum, the genus most nearly allied to it, or 
absolutely separate, but at present their distinction is sufti- 
ciently marked.” 
For the preceding matter I am indebted to the Honour- 
able and Reverend W. Herbert. The plant now named by 
him S. cybister was given to the Horticultural Society in 
March last by Mr. Joseph Knight, of the nursery King’s 
Road, who imported it from Bolivia. At that time I regarded 
it as a species of Hippeastrum rather than Sprekelia, and 
named it H. anomalum, considering the umbellate inflores- 
cence and general habit to be of more importance than the 
incurvation of the lower sepals. In this point however Mr. 
Herbert’s opinion is against me. 
The uncoloured figures at the foot of the accompanying 
plate indicate the structure of some parts of the flower, 
No. 1. is a view in part of the interior of the ovary, and in 
part of the base of the perianthium and stamens cut through ; 
it shews that the upper petaline filaments are furnished with 
a thin border, while all the others are tapering; and also 
that the filaments are separated from each other by fringed 
plates radiating from the style to the junctions of the sepals 
and petals. No. 2. exhibits the appearance of the ovary 
divided horizontally ; the figure just over it is the stigma and 
upper part of the style. 
