44 Votes on Liliacee. 
In this work I find two obstacles. The first is the difficulty of 
securing the bulbs. Of course the larger number can be ob- 
tained, but many species are only to be had by journeys to out of the 
way localities. It may be years before some can be secured. The 
cultivation of these bulbs is by no means a simple matter. It re- 
quires care and close study of conditions. I am pleased to say 
that I am now able to grow most species quite satisfactorily. 
The problems to be solved are many. In Lilium, twelveor more 
species have been described from this coast. It is likely that culti- 
vation will show the number of varieties to be much greater. In 
Calochortus, the field of work is large. There is much confusion 
here. I have no doubt but that several species will, in cultivation, 
prove to be identical. Here, as often elsewhere, the question arises 
as to what degree of variation justifies the formation of a species or 
variety, and how much greater the variation should be for one than 
' the other. I should like to see this question discussed. 
In the genus Calochortus it is peculiarly pertinent; since several 
so called varieties are as well defined as others called species, for in- 
stance, Calochortus venustus, C. luteus, and C. luteus var. oculatus 
and var. citrinus, following Botany of California, as to names. C. 
luteus, however, is a clearly defined species as to habit, gland, etc., 
and so is C. venustus, the latter much finer and larger in flower, 
more varied in markings and color. No one having seen either C. 
duteus, with its small flower, single color and peculiar gland, or C. 
venustus, with its markings and brilliancy, would hesitate to identify 
either anywhere. 
Now, C. luteus var. oculatus and var. citrinus have the gland of 
C. luteus and that is all. In all other details their habit is that of 
C. venustus. While C. luteus var. oculatus and var. citrinus meet 
each other and cross in an interminable number of forms, I have 
never seen any tendency to cross with C. /uteus. In fact, I have. 
found the latter the least variable of species. Ina field the flowers 
are alike, and those from far distant localities are identical. Is it 
not straining a point to refer two very distinct forms to a species 
that is invariable? To suppose them to have varied from C. venustus 
is still more of an improbability, since there are structural differ- 
ences. I think they form a distinct species instead of varieties, and 
possibly two species. 
In the genus Erythronium, botanists are still at sea, and all along 
the line of Liliaceae there are interesting points to be solved. 
