Tas. 5903. 
HAMANTHUS pezrormis. 
Native of Natal. 
Nat. Ord. AMARYLLIDEH.—Tribe AMARYLLEZ. 
Genus Hamantuvus, Linn. ; (Herbert's Amaryllidacee, p. 232). 
Hzmantuvs deformis ; bulbo compresso crasso humili depresso flavo-vire- 
scente, foliis ad 4 late obovato rotundatis sessilibus patenti-recurvis 
3-4 poll, latis supra hirsutis subtus pubescentibus immarginatis 
brevibus, scapo brevissimo, bracteis ad 6 obovato-oblongis obtusis 
totis albis ciliatis, floribus numerosis candidis, perianthii laciniis erectis 
linearibus obtusis, antheris exsertis pallidis, stigmate breviter 3-lobo, 
- ovulis pendulis. 
A very singular and indeed grotesquely ugly Cape bulb, 
with nothing but its curious form to recommend it for 
culture ; but to those who delight in contemplating every 
adaptation of their form and structure to environing con- 
ditions that plants present, or who seek to illustrate the 
botanical features of a country by cultivating groups of its 
plants, such a one as this presents many points of great in- 
terest. Dean Herbert remarks that there are two sections 
of Hemanthus, one with cylindric sheathing petioles, and 
consequently ovoid cylindric bulbs, which flower and leaf at 
the same time (see Tab. nost. 961, 1995, 1315, 4745, 5314, 
5378); and another with sessile broad-based leaves, that do 
not sheath, and which consequently have compressed bulbs ; 
these flower before the leaves are fully produced (Tab. nost. 
1075, 1239, 1618, 3373, 5532). To these has since been 
added a third section with cylindric bulbs, that flower before 
the leaves are fully developed (Tab. nost. 3570 and 5881). To 
me it appears that the genus may be better divided into those | 
with spreading, and those with erect perianth segments, a 
character to which Mr. Herbert gives secondary value ; 
MAY Ist, 1871. 
