roo ORD. XLVI. Liliacew. co.enictw avTUMNALE. 
THE root is perennial, consisting of a solid double succulent 
bulb, covered with 2 brown membranous coat: the flower is large, 
of a purplish colour, and rises immediately from the root upon 
a long naked tube,* like that of the Saffron: the leaves appear in 
the spring, and are numerous, radical, spear-shaped, one or two 
much narrower than the others: there is no calyx: the corolla is 
monopetalous, and divided into six lance-shaped large erect seg- 
ments, of a pale purple colour: the filaments are six, tapering, 
white, much shorter than the corolla, and furnished with erect 
pointed yellow antherz: the germen is lodged at the root, from 
which issue three slender styles, reflexed at the top, and terminated 
by simple pointed stigmata: the capsule is three-lobed, divided 
into three cells, containing numerous small globular seeds, which 
do not ripen till the succeeding spring, when the capsule rises 
above the ground upon a strong peduncle. It is a native of 
_England, affecting meadow grounds of a rich soil," and flowers i in 
September. . 
The recent root of this plant nak been received into the Materia 
Medica of both Pharmacopeeias, on the recommendation of Baron 
Stoerck, who first thought of converting this acrid poison to the 
purposes of medicine.‘ Respecting its effects and sensible quali- 
ties, authors have given very different reports. Haller informs 
us, that he found this root perfectly void of taste and acrimony.‘ 
Krapf likewise says, that he ate the whole bulbs without ae 
any inconvenience, except that of an ungrateful bitterish taste ; 
and Kratochvill gave this root with impunity to several in doses of 
two, three, and even four drams;‘ while Stoerck tells us, that ad 
* Hence it has been called naked lady. 
* It is not so rare a plant as the Saffron. 
© The external use of this root, and the wearing it inclosed in a bag, suspended 
about the neck, which was formerly practised for the purpose of preventing and 
curing pestilential fevers, will hardly be = an exception to this assertion. 
« L. c. n. 1256. 
* Cont. Experim. in Stoerck. p. 233.  * Vide Kratochvitt de Colch. p. 33. 
