108 ON A XIPHEON FEOM THE PUNJAUB. 



ON A NEW XIPHION FROM THE PUNJAUB. 

 By J". G. Baker, E.L.S. 



XiPHioN (Juno) Aitchisoni, Baher. Bulbo ovoideo tunicis brun- 

 neis membranaceis, foliis productis 2-3 pedalibus anguste linearibus 

 duris corneo marginatis, caule pedali 1-2 flora), spathae valvis 

 lanceolatis membranaceis, ovario sessili cylindrico, tubo supra ovarium 

 unceali anguste infundibulari, limbi segmentis exterioribus l-J-2 poll, 

 longis oblongo-spathulatis acutis lilacino-purpureis medio flavis, seg- 

 mentis interioribus parvis patulis vel deflexis apice obovato-rhom- 

 boideis. 



A handsome new species of bulbous Iris discovered by Dr. Aitchi- 

 son in March, 1874, growing abundantly on Mount Tilla, in the 

 Jhelum district of the Punjaub. The only other two caulescent species 

 of the section /«^/?o (see Journ. Bot., 1870, pp. 109-110) are caucasimm 

 and Aucheri, both of which have broad ensiform leaves after the 

 fashion of Iris Pseudacorus. In the general appearance of the leaf 

 and flower this is more like the Spanish filifolium, recently intro- 

 duced by Mr. Maw in a living state, but still very rare. Erom this 

 the minute patulous inner perianth segments, which characterise the 

 section Juno, mark it at a glance when the flower is looked at care- 

 fully. This is the third good addition which Dr. Aitchison has lately 

 made to our stock of plants suitable for garden cultivation, the two 

 others being Colchicum luteum and Merendera Aitchisoni. 



Bulb ovoid, an inch thick, with a tuft of fleshy fibres at the base, 

 and covered with several dry brown membranous tunics. Produced 

 leaves 2-3 to a stem (in addition to one or two small dry rudimentary 

 ones), narrow, linear, a foot long. 1^-2 lines broad, narrowed to a 

 point, with a distinct thickened horny edge, and 3-4 distinct ribs on 

 each side of the costa. Stem about a foot high, bracteated with 3 or 

 4 abbreviated leaves, usually one- but sometimes two- flowered. 

 Spathe-valves lanceolate, pale green, membranous, 1^-2 inches long, 

 clasping tightly the ovary and tube and reaching up to the base of 

 the limb. Ovary sessile, cylindrical, 8-9 lines long. Tube nar- 

 rowly funnel-shaped, an inch long above the ovary. Outer segments 

 of the perianth bright lilac-purple, 1^-2 inches long, oblong- spathulate, 

 acute, 8-9 lines broad two-thirds of the way up, with a beartUess 

 bright yellow keel. Inner segments spreading, or rather deflexed, 

 1-1 inch long, with a long claw and a small rhomboid-cuspidate limb. 

 Stigmas and stamens as in its allies. 



ON LINDSAYA VIRTDIS OE COLENSO : AN UNDESCIilBED 

 NEW ZEALAND EEKN. 



By J. G. Bakee. 



My attention has just been drawn to this plant by a letter from Mr. 

 H. C. Field, of Wangunui, Wellington, New Zealand, from which the 

 following is extracted. 



