413 



an elongation of the root from the leaves, of which the most 

 distant one encloses within its fleshy base the rudiment of the 

 plant of the following season. The plant is increased by off- 

 sets, or creeping shoots, with a bulb at the extremity, the point 

 of the bulb directed towards the parent root. For farther re- 

 marks, see Engl. Fl. v. 4. p. 265, which I have since confirmed 

 by observation ; but the lateral ribs at the back of the leaf 

 are " one on each side of the keel," not " of the leaf." Two- 

 flowered specimens are very unfrequent. I have seen two or 

 three. Surely the capsule is not "membranous," nor are the 

 seeds " few." The numei'ous brown sheaths investing the 

 leaves and stem, chiefly consist of the relics of the growth of 

 former years, each annual growth having its proper sheath 

 enclosed by the rest, now become dead, and serving, perhaps, 

 to protect the plant from the effects of cold. It is found on 

 Snowdon, as well as on the rocks by Twll du, and near the 

 summit of Glyder Fawr ; all neighbouring, but distinct situa- 

 tions. 



29. Asparagus officinalis. /3. — Near Llanfaelog, Anglesea. — 

 I have examined this plant only in a cultivated state (from 

 the situation above named.) It preserves its procumbent 

 habit, but grows to a larger size. Flower-stalks jointed in the 

 middle, where they ai'e very apt to break off in drying, the 

 flowers being probably abortive — (I have never seen any 

 berries in its native situation) — the upper portion of the flower 

 stalk rather thicker. Corolla divided nearly, or quite, to the 

 base; the segments, however, as stated in Engl. Fl., slightly 

 cohering in their lower part. Stipules broadly ovate, solitary. 

 'No style visible. Stigma indistinct (or obsolete.) — June 11, 

 182T. 



Having gathered specimens in flower, in its wild situation, 

 during different years, I should say that June is the time of 

 flowering, whatever may be stated to the contrary in Davies' 

 Wei. Bot., or elsewhere. 



30. ConvaWaria multijlora. — Bradford Wood, near Cheshire, 

 May 16, 1827, and October 17, 1826.— The segments of the 

 corolla overlap each other, and are downy or bearded at the 

 point, as in C. Polygonatum. Style not acutely triangular, but 



