255 



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 ah with their fragrance. The wild Agave of Mexico yields a copi- 

 ous 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. M.ax. 

 Trav. 



Examples. Ananassa, Billbergia, Bromelia, Pitcairnia. 



CCXXXV. HYPOXIDEiE. 



Hypoxide-e, R. Brown in Flinders, (1814) ; Agardh Aph. 164. (1823) a sect, of Asphodeleae. 



Diagnosis. Hexapetaloideous monocotyledons, with an inferior ovarium, a 

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

 black coat. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Perianthium superior, regular, 6-parted, with an equitant sesti- 

 vation. 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. iSeecfcwith a black brittle integument, and a lateral rostelliform hilum ; embryo in the 

 axis of fleshy albumen, its radicle having no certain direction. — Herbaceous stemless, or near- 

 ly stemless plants with plaited leaves, and yellow or white Jlouers. 



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

 afterwards separated as a distinct order, characterized by having, along with 

 the fruit of Asphodeleae, a superior perianthium and rostellate seeds. Agardh 

 retains them in Asphodeleae. 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^E 



Bormannije, Spreng. Syst. 1. 123. (1825) ; Reichcnb. Conspect. 60. (1828) a sect, of 



Amaryllidew. 



Diagnosis. Hexapetaloideous triandrous monocotyledons, with an inferior 

 winged ovarium, and minute indefinite seeds. 

 Anomalies. 



