of the Genus Aloe. 5 
nent species certain and easy ; and although this has not hitherto 
been attempted by any one, yet it is much to be wondered that it 
has not, from the uniformity so remarkable in the structure of 
their flowers. This I have noticed above ; and it did not com- 
pletely escape the keen eye of Linnaeus, although he did not make 
that use of it which I am about to do. What are sections in my 
arrangement were little more than species with him. Speaking 
of his Aloe pumila, which includes three species and two varieties, 
he says, " Flores, in hoc genere ccrtissimi indices, conjungunt 
mar gar it if er am et arachnoideam." 
The extensive value of this decisive criterion, as important for 
a section as it is fallacious for a species, I with pleasure beheld in 
the living plants, long before I ever saw the remark itself, 
On this natural and obvious principle all my sections and subdi- 
visions are founded ; and I have the satisfaction of asserting, that 
they are at once absolute and easy; which all good sections ought 
to be. Otherwise, instead of facilitating that examination they 
are intended for, they have an evident tendency to perplex and 
obstruct it. 
That this paper, already too long, may not be further swelled 
in an unnecessary manner, I shall avoid detailed descriptions, 
and give but a few synonyma to each described species and va- 
riety ; but they shall be the best in my possession, and all very 
carefully examined. 
The species and varieties which I have not referred to Professor 
Willdenow's edition of Species Plant arum, now publishing, are 
not enumerated in that work ; and those which have not hitherto 
had specific names I have marked with an asterisk. 
All the species and varieties which I hate described are at this 
present time alive in my own collection, except only A.aspera and 
striata, and those of the Appendix. For several of the new sorts, 
and 
