257 



established themselves as part of the present Flora of the west coast of Africa, 

 and some parts of the East Indies. 



Properties. The most remarkable is the Pine Apple, or Ananas, 

 which is well known for the sweetness and fine aromatic flavour of its fruit. 

 No other species is of the same interest. They are all capable of existing 

 in a dry hot air without contact with the earth ; on which account they 

 are favourites in South American gardens, where they are suspended in the 

 dwellings, or hung to the balustrades of the balconies ; situations in which 

 they flower abundantly, filling the air with their fragrance. The wild Agave 

 of Mexico yields a copious juice when tapped, which is fermented into a wine 

 called Pulque, from which a spirit, known under the name of Vino Mercal, 

 is obtained. Ropes are made in Brazil of a species of Bromelia, called 

 Grawatha. Pr. Max. Trav. 



Examples. Ananassa, Billbergia, Bromelia, Pitcairnia. 



CCXXXV. HYPOXIDE^. 



HvPOXiDEiE, R. Brown in Flinders., (1814); Agardh A ph. 164. (1823) a sect, of 



Asphodeleae. 



Diagnosis. Hexapetaloideous monocotyledons, with an inferior ova- 

 rium, a regular 6-parted perianthium with equitant sepals, rostellate seeds 

 with a hard black coat. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Cu An act ER. — Perianthiuyn superior, regular, 6-parted, with an equi- 

 tant aestivation. Stamens 6, inserted into the base of the segments. Ovarium inferior, 

 3-celled, many-seeded; style single; stigma 3-lobed. Capsule indehiscent, sometimes 

 succulent and many-seeded. Seeds with a l)lack brittle integument, and a lateral rostel- 

 liform hilum ; embryo in the axis of fleshy albumen, its radicle having no certain direction. 

 — Herbaceous stemless, or nearly stemless plants with plaited leaves., and yellow or white 

 flowers. 



Affinities. First placed by Mr. Brown at the end of Asphodeleae, 

 and afterwards separated as a distinct order, characterised by having, along 

 with the fruit of Asphodeleee, a superior perianthium and rostellate seeds. 

 Agardh retains them in Asphodelese. The rigidity and harshness of their 

 leaves is very unlike any thing among genuine plants of that tribe. 



Geography. Natives of the Cape of Good Hope, New Holland, the 

 East Indies, and North America. 



Properties. Unknown. 



Examples. Hypoxis, Curculigo. 



CCXXXVI. BURMANNI^. 



BuRMANNiiE, Spreng. Sijst. 1. 123. (1825); Reichenb. Conspect. 60. (1828) a sect, of 



Amaryllideje. 



Diagnosis. Hexapetaloideous triandrous monocotyledons, with an in- 

 ferior winged ovarium, and minute indefinite seeds. 

 Anomalies. 



Essential Character Flowers hermaphrodite. Perianthium tubular, superior, 



coloured, membranous, with 6 teeth, the 3 inner of which (petals) are minute, the 3 outer 



S 



