276 



147. The roots of Trillium are generally violently emetic, and their mawkish, 

 rather nauseous berries are at least suspicious. Dec. 



Examples. Trillium, Paris, Medeola, Convallaria, Streptopus, Smilax, 

 Drymophila, Ripogonum. 



CCL. DIOSCORE.E. The Yam Tribe. 



DjOscoreje, R. Broun, Prodr. 214. (1810); Agardh Aphor. 169. (1823); Ach. Rich. Novt. 

 Elem. 434. (1828). 



Diagnosis. Hexapetaloideous monocotyledons, with an inferior ovarium, 

 diclinous flowers, and a minute herbaceous spreading regular perianthium. 

 Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Flowers dioecious. Calyx and corolla confounded, superior. Slami- 

 miferous: Stamens 6, inserted into the base of the sepals and petals. Pistilliferous : Ovarium 

 3-celled, with 1- or 2-seeded cells ; style deeply trifid ; stigmas undivided. Fruit leaf-like, coj»- 

 pressed, with two of its cells sometimes abortive. Seeds flat, compressed ; embryo small, near 

 the hilum, lying in a large cavity of cartilaginous albumen. — Twining shrubs. Leaves alter- 

 nate, occasionally opposite, usually with reticulated veins. Flowers small, spiked, with from 

 1 to 3 bractea? each. 



Affinities. Undoubtedly the nearest approach among monocotyledons to 

 the dicotyledonous structure ; according to Mr. Brown approaching Smilaceae 

 in structure and habit, but separable from them by the threefold character of 

 inferior ovarium, capsular fruit, and albumen having a large cavity. Tamus 

 is, however, between the two tribes, agreeing with Smilaceee in its baccate, with 

 Dioscorere in its inferior fruit. Prodr. 294. The leaves are altogether those 

 of dicotyledons ; the stem, flower, and seeds, of monocotyledons. 



Geography. Found exclusively in tropical countries of either hemisphere, 

 if Tamus be excluded. 



Properties. The yams, so important a food in all tropical countries, be- 

 cause of their large, fleshy, mucilaginous, sweetish tubers, are the only remark- 

 able plants of the order. 



Examples. Dioscorea, Rajania, Oncus, yEchma. 



CCLI. LILIACEiE. The Lily Tribe. 



Liua, Juss. Crew. 48. (1789).— Narcissi, the first sect. Ibid. 54. (1789.)— Hem erocallideje, 

 R. Brown Prodr. 295. (1810).— Liliaceje, Dec. Thcor. Elem. 1, 249. (1813); Dec. and 

 Duby, 461. (1828.) in part ; Lindl. Synops. 266. (1829).— Tulipace*, Deb. Ess. Med. 

 297. (1816) ; Dec. and Duby, 461 (1828) ; Link. Handb 1. 177. (1829) a sect, of Liliacese. 

 — Coronarije, Agardh Aphor. 165. (1823). 



Diagnosis. Hexapetaloideous monocotyledons, with a superior ovarium, 

 highly developed perianthium, anthers turned inwards, a trilocular polysper- 

 mous capsule, and seeds with a soft spongy coat. 



Anomalies. 



Essential Character. — Calyx and corolla confounded, coloured, regular, occasionally 

 cohering in a tube. Stamens 6, inserted into the sepals and petals. Ovary superior, 3-celled, 

 many-seeded; style 1 ; stigma simple, or 3-lobed. Fruit dry, capsular, 3-celled, many-seeded, 



