260 



from the ordinary character of the order will probably be considered of less 

 importance, if we bear in mind the polyandrous structure of some Hsemo- 

 doraceoe, and especially if, in the first place, the genuine Amaryllideous 

 genera Phycella and Placea be attended to, the former of which has a tend- 

 ency to produce additional stamens, and the latter having them in a highly 

 developed petaloid state ; and if, secondly, the corona of Narcissus itself 

 IS borne in mind, which is in fact an organ representing an extra number 

 of stamens. I have elsewhere remarked {Bot. Reg. 1341.) that this is con- 

 nected with a strong tendency in the whole order to form another set of 

 male organs between the perianthium and those stamens that actually 

 develope. Hence a curious instance is exhibited, to which several parallels 

 may, however, be found in other families, of the force of developement 

 being generally confined to a series of organs originating within those 

 which should be formed according to the ordinary laws of structure. Of 

 course, in all such orders a multiplication of the usual number of stamens 

 is more to be expected than where this peculiar circumstance does not 

 exist. 



Geography. A very few only are found in the north of Europe and 

 the same parallel ; these are plants of the genera Narcissus and Galanthus. 

 As we proceed south they increase. Pancratium appears on the shores of 

 the Mediterranean ; Crinums and Pancratiums abound in the West and 

 East Indies ; Hsemanthus is found for the first time with some of the latter 

 on the Gold Coast; Amaryllides shew themselves in countless numbers in 

 Brazil, and across the whole continent of South America; and, finally, at 

 the Cape of Good Hope the maximum of the order is beheld in ali the 

 beauty of Hsemanthus, Crinum, Clivia, Cyrtanthus, and Brunsvigia. A few 

 are found in New Holland, the most remarkable of which is Doryanthes. 



Properties. One of the few monocotyledonous orders in which any 

 poisonous properties are found. These are principally apparent in the 

 viscid juice of the bulbs of Hsemanthus toxicarius, in which the Hottentots 

 are said to dip their arrow-heads, and in some neighbouring species. The 

 bulbs of Narcissus poeticus have for ages been known as emetic ; and it 

 has recently been shewn by M. Loiseleur Deslongchamps that a similar 

 power exists in Narcissus Tazetta, odorus, and Pseudo-Narcissus, and Pan- 

 cratium maritimum. The flowers of Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus are also 

 said to be emetic. Decandolle considers the principle found in Amaryllideae 

 analogous to that of the Squill {Essai, p. 290). .Sternbergia lutea is purga- 

 tive, Alstrbmeria salsilla diaphoretic and diuretic, Amaryllis ornata astrin- 

 gent. Agardh Apii. \7H. 



Examples. Amaryllis, Phycella, Nerine, Vallota, Calostemma. . 



CCXXXIX. IRIDE^. The CoRNFLAG Tribe. 



Irides, Juss. Gen. 67- (1789) — Ensat/K, Ker in Ann. of Botany, 1. 219. (1805) 



Iride.«, R. Brown Prodr. .302. (1810); Ker. Gen. Irid. (1827); Dec. and Duby^ 

 451. (1828); Lindl. Sijnops. 254. (1«29.) 



Diagnosis. Hexapetaloidcous triandrous dicotyledons, with an inferior 

 ovarium, anthers turned outwards, and equitant leaves. 

 Anomalies. Crocus leaves are not equitant. 



Essential Character — Calyx and corolla superior, confounded, their divisions 

 either partially cohering, or entirely separate, sometimes irregular, the '.i petals being 

 sometimes very ishort, Stamens 3, arising from the base of the sepals ; filaments distinct 



