162 AMOMALES. [Endogens. 



Alliance Xll. AMOMALES. — The Amomal Alliance, 



Diagnosis. — Epigynous petaloid Endogens, with wisymmetrical Jloiocrs, from \ to 5 

 stamens, some of which are aborth'C, and albuminous seeds. 



In the Narcissal Alliance, the series was terminated by the Irids, many of whose 

 genera have a singularly h'regular corolla : as, for example, Babiana ; there was, how- 

 ever, even in these last, an exact s%Tnmetry in the number of parts of which the flowers 

 consist. In this Alliance that sjiumetry is wholly lost, the numljer of perfect stamens, 

 as represented by anthers, being reduced to one, or even half a one, and not exceeding 

 five m any instance. At the same time the development of the foliage takes a new 

 du-ection. In the majority of Narcissals the leaves are absolutely sword- shaped, and 

 theu" veins consequently run in parallel hues ; and even when, as sometimes happens, 

 their leaves become widened, the veins still converge at the point. But in the Amomal 

 Alliance the vems always diverge ; the result of which is a foHage of qvdte another cha- 

 racter, to which, among Endogens, some Lilyworts offer the only resemblance. When 

 such leaves acquire a large size, they are frequently spUt into lateral ribands. 



Natural Orders of Amomals. 



Stamens more than 1 ; (anthers 2-ceUed, no vitellus) 48. M usages. 



Stamen hut 1 ; anther 2-ceUed, embryo in a vitellus 49. Zingiberacb^. 



Stamen but 1 ; anther l-celled (halved), no vitellus 50. Marantace^. 



