380 FLORA HISTORICA. 



beinff united to the neck of the corolla, which forms 

 a lonor tube reachinoj the bulb in which the seed- 

 vessel is seated, and from whence the three long 

 styles proceed through the neck of the corolla, 

 carrying their stigmas to a sufficient height out of 

 the ground to be matured and impregnated by the 

 farina of the six anthers, which are also carried up 

 to the air by being united to the corolla. When the 

 necessary properties of the farina have been received 

 by the stigmas, and conveyed to the seed-vessel by 

 means of the long styles, the flower decays, and 

 the fruit continues to grow until the spring, when 

 it is sent out of the ground under the guard of the 

 four leaves, which afterwards separate, and the seed 

 soon becomes ripe. Thus this plant, reversing the 

 accustomed order of the seasons, mingles its fruit 

 with the flowers of the spring, and its flowers with 

 the fruits of the autumn. 



This poisonous plant is distinguished from the 

 Autumnal Saff"ron Crocus, by having six anthers 

 and three stigmas supported on three separate 

 thread-like styles, whereas the Crocus has only 

 three anthers, and one style bearing a divided stigm.a ; 

 both of these plants may be made ornamental to 

 the parterre in the later months of the year. 



The common Colchicum is indigenous to our 

 moist meadows in many parts of the country, par- 

 ticularly in Essex and Suffolk. Gerard speaks of 



