214 PROCEEDINGS OP THE AMERICAN ACADEMY 



genera. The other division, corresponding nearly to the old order 

 Melanthacece, has distinct styles and a septicidal capsule conjoined 

 with a persistent nerved perianth. 



The subdivision into tribes is here based upon the characters of the 

 inflorescence, and such others as can be used without separating evi- 

 dently allied genera, to avoid which it is sometimes found necessary to 

 lay little stress either upon the degree of union of the segments of 

 the perianth or upon root-characters. The grade of the tribes is 

 equalized so far as possible by reducing the less positively marked 

 groups to the rank of subtribes, though some isolated genera are 

 still left, which refused to be so degraded. As respects the citation of 

 authorities under the specific descriptions, only the more important 

 synonyms and figures are usually referred to. Much indebtedness is 

 acknowledged to the recent revisions of various portions of the order 

 by Mr. J. G. Baker of Kew, although his conclusions are not in every 

 case adopted. It is a source of regret that his last paper upon the 

 " Colchicacece " has not yet been issued, and that the present article, 

 which has been delayed for some time with the hope of benefiting by 

 it, must be completed without such assistance. 



SERIES I. Floral bracts present and more or less scarious. Perianth per- 

 sistent ; segments 1-several-nerved. Stamens perigynous ; anthers introrse. 

 Style undivided, persistent. Capsule loculicidally dehiscent Seeds more or 

 less turgid, ascending, with close black testa. Leaves with approximate longi- 

 tudinal nerves and transverse veinlets. Pedicels often jointed. 



Exceptions. Style and perianth deciduous in Odoniostomum. Style deciduous 

 in Chlorofjalum and Hesperaloe; sometimes wanting and capsule sometimes 

 baccate or septicidal in Yucca. Fruit baccate or indehiscent, with light-colored 

 seeds, in Conrallariece. and Nolinece. Seeds dark brown in Odoniostomum; hori- 

 zontally flattened in Ilesperocallis and Yuccece. 



Subseries I. Inflorescence umbellate, upon a naked scape arising from a 

 corm or bulb ; sessile upon a short rootstock in Leucocrinum. 



Tribe I. Allieae. Bracts (usually 2) broad and spathaceous : capsule more 

 or less deeply lobed, the filiform style jointed upon the axis : seetls one to sev- 

 eral in each cell, angular or subovate : perianth cleft nearly to the base ; seg- 

 ments 1-nerved : pedicels not jointed : bulb mostly tunicated. 



1. Allium. Flowers deep rose-color to white. Capsule subglobose 

 or obovate, deeply lobed and often crested : base of the style en- 

 closed between the lobes and jointed upon the short axis : cells 

 1-2-ovuled at the base. Filaments usually dilated at base. 

 Bracts 2 to 4. Leaves one to several. Scape from a tunicated 

 bulb (sometimes rhizomatous) or rarely a coated corm. Taste 

 and odor strongly alliaceous. — In our species the sheaths of the 



