GENERA CONFUSED UNDER BRODLEA. 129 



Allium. The old species was actually referred to that 

 genus by -two celebrated botanists of Europe, each acting 

 independently of the other. Its showy umbels very closely 

 resemble those of the beautiful Allium tmifolium of nearly 

 the same habit; but Hesperoscovdum is wholly wanting in 

 alliaceous properties. With this group, therefore, collect- 

 ively distinct as it is from both Hoohera and Brodkea, I see 

 nothing to be done but to join the whole in one under the 

 oldest name, Triteleia. Against Mr. Baker's view that they 

 are susceptible of admission to the South American genus 

 J/i/Za there appear to me some quite insuperable objections. 

 All the South American species which he has so referred 

 have inarticulate pedicels, different subterranean parts, and 

 some of them at least are strongly alliaceous. We have 

 some North American plants which seem to be exactly in> 

 termediate in character between Brodicea and Mllla, namely, 

 the two species of AndrostepJiium, forming a genus whose 

 validity has not, I believe, been called in question. It ex- 

 hibits the coronated perianth of Brodicea, but has alliaceous 

 qualities. Our California plant, which now goes happily, 

 in my estimation, under Mr. Watson's name, 3Iailla, is also 

 a connecting link between —or rather, an argument for the 

 distinctness of — the North and South American genera. 

 This is excluded from Allium only by its wanting the well- 

 known properties of that genus, wdiile, on the other hand, 

 it is inadmissible to Triteleia by reason of its jointless 

 pedicels. 



Two other of our California genera of this alliance need, 

 to be here spoken of: Bloomeria, which, although it now 

 rejoices in three well-marked species, is, I apprehend, in 

 danger of falling into Triteleia through the Calliprora group; 

 and Brevoortia, which has an inflated perianth to bring it 

 close to Brodicea, and a development of the filaments at the 

 base of the tube suggestive of Triteleia, but which is best 



Note -. — Allium lacteum, Beuth. PI. Hartw. 339; and Allium Tilingi, Regel^ 

 All. Monogr. 124. 



