277 



tion upon that point, it is not probable that they will be found to bear any 

 very close relation to the other monocotyledonous orders at present known. 

 Their tunicated bulbs, spathaceous inflorescence, and general appearance, 

 place them near Asphodelese, with some genera of which, especially Mus- 

 cari and Puschkinia, Miersia at least agrees in the structure of perianthium ; 

 but we are acquainted with no genus of Asphodelese to which the fructifi- 

 cation of Gilliesiese can be otherwise compared. If the one-flowered species 

 of Schoenus, in which a single naked flower is surrounded by several imbri- 

 cated squamee, be admitted as a form of inflorescence analogous to that 

 under consideration, it may perhaps be allowable to carry this comparison 

 yet further, and to suggest an identity of origin and function between the 

 depauperated bractese of Gilliesia and the hypogynous setse of Seirpus and 

 other Cyperaceee. But on account of the presence of a perianthium, and of 

 their polyspermous three-celled capsule, Gilliesiege may perhaps be with most 

 propriety referred to the neighbourhood of Restiacese, whose imbricated 

 inflorescence does not offer any very powerful obstacle." 



At this time the structure of the seeds was unknown: I have since been able 

 to ascertain their nature, in consequence of a supply having been given me 

 by Mr. Cruikshanks. The result of their examination, while it strengthens 

 the opinion of their vicinity to Asphodeleas, and weakens that of a relation 

 to Restiacese, does not induce me to alter my view of them as constituting 

 a small but distinct order. 



Geography. Chilian bulbs. 



Properties. Unknown. 



Examples. Gilliesia, Miersia. 



CCXLIX. SMILACEtE. The Smilax Tribe. 



AsPARAGi, Juss. Gen. (1789) in part. — Sjfilace^, /?. Bronm Prodr. 292.(1810); 

 Lindl. Synops. 270. (1829) — Trilliace^, Dec. Ess. Mid. 294. (181G) — Aspa- 



RAGE^, Dec. and Duby^ 458. (1828) Aspaeagine^e, Ach. Rich. Diet. Class. 



2.20. (1822); Nonv. Eltm. ed. 4. 430. (1828). — Smilacin^e, Link Handb. 1. 



275. (1829) Pahide^e, lb. 277- (1829) — Convaleariace^, lb. 184. (1829) 



a sect, of LiL'aceae. 



Diagnosis. Hexapetaloideous monocotyledons, with a superior ova- 

 rium, anthers turned inwards, a coloured perianthium, a 3-celled succulent 

 fruit, a membranous testa, and a triple style. 



Anomalies. Tamus has the ovarium inferior. The parts of the flower 

 are quaternary in Paris. 



EssEXTiAE Character /"/oirer* hermaphrodite or dioecious. Calyr and corol/a 



confounded, inferior, petaloid, G-parted. Stamens C, inserted into the perianthium near 

 the base; seldom hypogynous. Ovarium 3-celled, the cells 1- or many-seeded; style 

 usually trifid ; sti(/mas 3. Fruit a roundish herry. Seeds with a membranous testa (not 

 black or brittle) ; albumen between fleshy and cartilaginous ; embryo usually distant from 



the hilum. R. Br Herbaceous plants or under-shrubs, often with a tendency to climb. 



Leaves sometimes with reticulated veins. 



Ai'FiNiTiEs. So nearly the same as Asphodelese, theit some botanists 

 unite them, others separate them upon different principles from those adopted 

 here, and others strike certain genera off from both the one tribe and the 

 other. The leaves of Smilacese are broader and shorter, with more of a dico- 

 tyledonous appearance than the ensate or grassy ones of Asphodeleae, and 

 the stem has a frequent tendency to twine. Even in Ruscus some trace 



