170 ERTTHRONZUM. No. 35. 



prismatic trilobe above. The Capsul is naked; turbi- 

 nate triangular^ with three cells and many large oval 



F- 



seeds. 



HISTORY — This pretty genus was long formed 

 by a single species E. dens-canis growing in Europe 

 and Asia, to which was referred this at first. Several 

 species have since been discovered in America, and 

 they afford many varieties, some of which may on 

 further attention be deemed peculiar species. They 

 all possess the same properties as well as a striking 

 peculiar generic habit, somewhat similar to Clai/tontcty 



Clintonia, MayanthuSy Sfc. The Stem has been mis- 

 taken for a Scape by many, because it is partly sub- 

 terraneous. When this species was distinguished 

 from E. denS'Canis^ several names were given to it 

 by Botanists nearly at the same time, I have chosen 

 the best if not the oldest also, applying to its yellow 

 flowers, while all the others have white flowers ; the 

 name of •/Smericanum so often proposed, is become 

 absurd now. The varieties of this yellow species 

 which I have detected are^ 



1. Var. Viperinum^ Leaves canaliculate with large 

 reddish brown spots; external sepals acuminate, 

 veined with red outside, all the sepals with small 

 purplish dots inside, Stigma entire, trigone, pubescent. 

 This is probably the kind figured by W. Barton, 



2. Var. Croceum, Leaves narrow flat with small 

 spots, flower drooping, external sepals partly red out- 

 side and obtuse. Stigma trilobe smooth. This is 

 figured by Bigelow. 



3. Var. Bracteaium, Leaves unequal. Stem with 



