270 



Essential Character.— Perianthium inferior, pctaloid, in 6 pieces, or, in consequence of 

 the cohesion of their claw?, tubular ; the pieces generally involute in aestivation. Stamens 6 ; 

 anthers mostly turned outwards. Ovarium 3-celled, many-seeded; style trifid or 3-parted ; 

 stigmas undivided. Capsule generally divisible into 3 pieces; sometimes with a loculicidal 

 dehiscence. Seeds with a membranous testa ; albumen dense, fleshy. R. Br. — Roots fibrous, 

 sometimes fascicled. Rhizoma sometimes fleshy. Leaves sheathing at the base, with parallel 

 veins. Flowers either arising from under the surface of the ground, or arranged upon tall 

 leafy stems in large panicles, or disposed in spikes or racemes upon a naked scape. 



Affinities. Mr. Brown, who restored this tribe, considers its station to be 

 between Asphodeleee and Juncese, from both which it is known by its triparti- 

 te fruit, and anthers turned outwards. The genera differ very much in habit, 

 which renders it doubtful whether some further change in the order will not be 

 necessary. Their properties are more uniform than their appearance. 



Geography. Frequent at the Cape of Good Hope, not uncommon in 

 Europe, Asia, and North America, and existing in the tropics of India and 

 New Holland, this order appears to be confined within no geographical limits ; 

 it is, however, far more abundant in northern countries than elsewhere. 



Properties. Poisonous in every species, but more especially in the 

 Colchicum and Veratrum. The cormus of the former is a well-known acrid 

 cathartic, narcotic, and diuretic ; the latter is a nauseous, dangerous emetic. 

 The medicinal properties of the root of Veratrum are, owing to a peculiar 

 alkaline principle, called Veratrin, which acts with singular energy on the 

 membrane of the nose, exciting violent sneezings, though taken in very 

 minute quantity. When taken internally in very small doses, it produces 

 excessive irritation of the mucous coat of the stomach and intestines ; and a 

 few grains are found fatal to the lower animals. Turner, 652. Veratrum 

 viride of North America is an acrid, emetic, and powerful stimulant, followed 

 by sedative effects. Bigelow, 2. 125. Veratrin is found in the root of the 

 Colchicum. Turner, 652. Gloriosa superba is recorded to possess similar 

 acrid powers. The root of Helonias dioica in infusion is anthelmintic, but its 

 tincture is bitter and tonic. Dec. 



Examples. Colchicum, Melanthium, Uvularia, Bulbocodium, Tofieldia. 



CCXLV1. PONTEDERE^S. 



Pontederete, Kunth in Humb. et Bonpl. N. G. 1. 211.(1815); Agardh Aph. 1G9. (1823); 

 Hooker in Bot. Mag. 2932". (1829.)— Pontederiace.e, Ach. Rich. Aouv. Elem. ed. 4. 

 427. (1828.) 



Diagnosis. Hexapetaloideous monocotyledons, with a superior ovarium 

 and irregular perianthium, involute after flowering. 

 Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Perianthium tubular, coloured, 6-parted, more or less irregular, 

 with a circinate aestivation. Stamens 3 or C, unequal, arising from the calyx. Ovarium su- 

 perior,]or rarely half inferior, 3-celled, many-seeded ; style I ; stigma simple. Capsule 3-celled, 

 3-valved, with loculicidal dehiscence. Seeds indefinite, attached to a central axis ; hilum 

 small ; embryo orthotropous, in the axis of somewhat mealy albumen.— Aquatic or wzars/i-plants. 

 Leaves sheathing at the base, with parallel veins. Flowers either solitary, or in spikes or um- 

 bels, spathaceous, frequently blue. 



Affinities. These were referred to Commelinese by Mr. Salisbury, and are 

 considered nearly related to that order by M. Ach. Richard, who, however, 

 separates them, suggesting their being referable to the great receptacle of mis- 

 cellaneous monocotyledons called Liliacea). It is not improbable that the nearest 



