— 254 | MONOPERIGYNEX. 
terminal, upon a scape; sometimes in spikes, racemes, or — 
umbels ; often in a spatha, enclosing them before they ex- 
pand. Perianth coloured and petaloid; single, and in 6 
pieces, or occasionally disposed in two rows, (three inner 
pieces and three outer); segments often united at the base, 
and somewhat tubular, often distinctly monosepalous. Sta- 
mens 6, inserted into the segments of the perianth. Ovary 
. free and superior ; 3-celled, with a variable number of seeds 
_. in two rows at the ventral-suture ; style simple or absent ; 
stigma 3-lobed. Pericarp a 3-celled capsule, with a loculi- 
cidal dehiscence, and separating into three valves. Seed 
sometimes with a black, brittle, and crustaceous testa, some- 
times membranous, and winged. Albumen fleshy, with a 
cylindrical embryo. 
Exampres.—Hyacinth, Tulip, Harebell (Scilla nutans, 
or Hyacinthus non-scriptus), Alée, Squill, Onion. This fa- 
__mily may be distinguished from the Asparagine by the cap- _ 
_ ular pericarp and bulbous root. In the Asparagine the 
Foot is mostly a creeping stem-like body, and the pericarp # 
_ _Economicat Prorertres.—The properties of the Onion 
_ (Alliwm cepa), the Leek (Allium porrum), and Garlic (AL 
lium sativum), are well known. The strong but agreeable 
flavour of these plants renders them useful as condiments. 
| Their stimulating properties seem to be owing to an acrid 
‘Volatile oil. Their acridity is much diminished by cultiva-— 
tion. M. Richard observes that all the bulbs in this family 
contain a mucilage much resembling gum arabic ; this, he 
says, is very abundant in the Scilla nutans. 
