MEADO\V SAFFIION. 411 



Styles, the (lower 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 autumn. 



This poisonous plant is distinguished from the 

 Autumnal Saffron 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 

 stigma, both of these plants may be made orna- 

 mental 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, 

 particularly in Essex and Suffolk. Gerard speaks 

 of it as being plentiful in his day in the neigh- 

 bourhoods of Bath, Shepton Mallet, Northamp- 

 ton, and several other places. 



For cultivation the Colchicum bulbs should be 

 taken out of the ground in May when the leaves 

 are decayed, and they may be preserved out of 

 the ground as Tulips and other flowering bulbs ; 

 but in the early part of August they should be 



