10 



* VRIESIA psittacina. 

 Parrot-flowered Vriesia. 



HEXANDRIA 'MONOGYNIA. 



Nat.ord. Bromeliace^e. 



VRIESIA. Sepala 3, convoluta, sequalia, petalis apice revolutis bre- 

 viora. Squamce cuique petalo 2, semiadnatse, indivisee. Stamina exserta ; 

 3 libera petalorum basi inserta, 3 inter petala inserta iisque basi connata { 

 anthera; lineares, planse, posticse. Ovarium semi-inferum, conicum ; stigma 



trilobum, lobis convolutis et sinuatis villosis. Folia plana erecta. Flores 



distichi, distantes, bracteis magnis, canaliculatis, coloratis. 



Vriesia psittacina :; foliis oblongis acatis basi dilatatis, sepalis corolla parum 



brevioribus, staminibus exsertis. 

 Tillaudsia psittacina. Hooker in Bot. Mag. t. 2841. 



Although the limits of the genera of the Brora eliaceous 

 order are much better defined than they were a few years 

 ago, there are no doubt some distinct groups still concealed 

 among the little known species crowded together under the 

 name of Tillandsia. The present instance we conceive to be 

 one of them. 



Although referred to Tillandsia this has neither a supe- 

 rior ovary, nor the scaleless petals that are essential to that 

 genus. On the contrary, it evidently belongs to Endlicher's 

 second section of the order, at present consisting of Pitcairnia 

 and Brocchinia only. From the latter it differs in its reyolute 

 scaled petals, and distinct filaments ; from the latter in its 

 distinct sepals, and regular re volute petals. From both its 

 large channelled coloured bracts distinguish it at first sight- 

 Along with it will have to be placed the Tillandsia heli- 



* We have taken the opportunity of thus commemorating the merits of 

 Dr. W. de Vriese, Professor of Botany at Amsterdam, an excellent Botanist 

 and Physiologist. 



