be broken up into two genera, corresponding to Endlicher’s 
sectional divisions of Massonia proper and Astemma. 
Descr. Bulb ovoid, three-quarters to one and a quarter 
inch long, covered with smooth pale scales; root fibres few, 
very slender. Sem half to one and a half inches high, formed 
of the short scape and leaf-sheaths. Leaves two, three to five 
inches long, suberect, very narrow lanceolate, one-third to 
two-thirds of an inch in diameter, rather obtuse, concave, 
deep green, somewhat thick. FVowers six to ten, in a sub- 
corymbose head at the base of the leaves, white, very much 
scented. Bracts very small or obsolete. Perianth very 
shortly pedicelled ; tube two-thirds of an inch long, cylindric, 
slightly dilated at the tip; limb with six subequal, revolute, 
obtuse’ segments, which are much shorter than the tube. 
Stamens inserted on the bases of the perianth-segments, fila- 
ment short, subulate, not dilated nor connected at the base, 
the alternate longer ; anthers small, purple. Ovary narrow, 
style erect, very slender, glabrous, stigma simple; ovules 
many in each ceil, ascending.-—/. D. H. 
Fig. 1, Flower; 2, the same, with the perianth cut open; transverse 
section of ovary :—all magnified. 
