whilst of the latter there are again two sections, one with 
terete bulbs and usually petioled more or less plaited leaves ; 
the other, with compressed bulbs and distichous thick flat 
leaves, to which the present and a.few other species belong. 
Hemanthus deformis is a native of Natal, and was sent to 
the Royal Gardens in 1869, from those of Natal, by their 
zealous superintendent, Mr. M‘Ken, and it flowered in March, 
1871; its similarity in habit to certain species of the 
liliaceous genus Massonia is very striking. : 
Descr. Bulb very broad, low, green, four to five inches in 
diameter, slightly compressed, yellow green. Leaves about 
two pairs, three and a half to four inches long and broad, 
spreading and recurved, distichous, orbicular or obovate- 
orbicular, scarcely sheathing, not undulate nor margined, 
dark green, smooth, hairy above, pubescent beneath. Scape 
very short, sessile amongst the leaves. Head compressed, 
parallel to the bulb, two inches high, one and a half inch in 
its longest diameter. Involucral spathes about six, equal, erect, 
obovate-oblong, obtuse, ciliate, pure white. H/owers numerous, 
pure white, shorter than the involucre. Perianth-tube shorter 
than the erect linear obtuse lobes. Stamens exserted; anthers 
pale yellow. Ovary obovoid ; style slender ; stigmas three, 
small, acute.—J. D. H. 
Fig. 1, Flower; 2, perianth lobe, and stamens; 3, ovary, with style and 
stigma; 4, transverse section of ovary :—all magnified. 
