386 ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE BOTANY OF [ Tulipacee. 
are evidently corruptions of the above quoted names. Two kinds are described, sorinjan 
tulkh (bitter), and sorinjan sheeren (sweet), both of which I obtained in the bazars of 
Northern India, brought, I believe, from Surat or Bombay, and probably imported 
there from the Red Sea. Both kinds are species of Colchicum, which many may be 
surprised to find employed as medicines by the native practitioners of India. 
Uvularia Leschenaultiana. Wall. Cat. N. 5089. Tab. 96. fig.2. (a) Flower; (6) the same, with: 
the segments (c) of the perianth removed; (d) a stamen.—Professor Don, however, being of opinion that 
all the Himalayan species of Uvularia belong to the genus Disporum, I subjoin his specific character 
in conformity to this view. 
Disporum Leschenaultianum, umbellis sessilibus 3-5-floris, sepalis ovato-lanceolatis acutis basi 
gibbosis; antheris filamentis vix duplé brevioribus, stylo stigmatibus ter longiore, foliis ovatis sub- 
petiolatis. 
Hab. Mussooree. 
178. PONTEDERACEZ. 
The Pontederacee form a small aquatic family, remarkable in habit, and to which 
are referred the genera Heteranthera, (in which is included Leptanthus,) Pontederia, and 
Reussia, found in the tropical parts of Asia and Africa, and extending in America 
from 30° S. to 40° of N. latitude. Pontederia is alone found in India. The most 
northern limit has not yet been ascertained ; but two species, P. sagittata and vaginalis, 
are extremely common in 30° of N. latitude. These occur in places completely parched 
up in the hot weather, but which become inundated in the rainy season, and support 
these with many other such water-plants as can resist the changes of temperature, from 
the under-ground position of their root-like stems. _ The same two species are common 
also in the most southern parts of India. P. plantaginea appears to be very closely 
allied to, or only a variety of P. vaginalis. | 
: 179. TULIPACEZA. 
The group of plants comprehended under the term Tulipacee, are sometimes arranged 
as a separate family, either under this name, or under that of Liliacee. The latter, 
however, is often employed in a more comprehensive sense, as by Dr. Lindley, to include 
Several families, as the 71 ulipacee, Hemerocallidee, and Asphodelee, of other authors. 
Dr. L. remarks, ‘‘ that nothing like a solid distinction, either in the vegetation or the 
fructification, can be discovered, by which the genera can be separated into distinct 
orders.” In continuing the division into different families, I do so for the conve- 
nience of treating of their geographical distribution and uses, 
The Tulipacee contain but few genera, but all are nearly equally well known from 
the highly ornamental nature of the majority of their species, which are found, though. 
not in great numbers, in the temperate parts of the northern hemisphere. — Species of 
most of the genera, as of Tulipa, Lilium, Fritillaria, Lloydia, and Methonica, are found 
in the ‘Himalayan mountains. The last, usually known by the name Gloriosa, occurs 
only at moderate elevations, and is found also in the plains of India, as well as on the © 
~ banks of the Senegal ; but the perennial tuberous roots, with annual stems, enable the 
species to support great vicissitudes of temperature. Tulipa, Lilium, and Fritillaria, 
found 
