76 CXXX: XYRIDEX. 
of the genus or order are also very uncertain. Either the habit or the seeds 
N the inflorescence have suggested to various botanists its ewe 
o Restiaeem, Commelynaeesm, or Liliacer (Johnsoniew), but there are 
Pete characters which separate it from each of these. 
l. XYRIS, Linn. 
Flowers hermaphrodite, sessile within 2 opposite persistent gh 
bracteoles by some considered as outer perianth-segments. e peri- 
anth with a short tube, the limb divided into 4 segments, 1 outer ater 
one thin and almost petal-like or somewhat Marine very broad, € 
pletely enveloping inner segments, but becoming detached s% ‘the 
base and cast o e flower expands, 8 inner pene yellow petal-like 
spreading RR uem can after flowering. Perfect stamens 3, oppo- 
site the inner segments, attached to their base and shorter than them ; 
anthers erect, sagittate, with 2cells opening laterally in longitudin 
slits somewhat turned outwards : staminodia usually 8, alternating with 
the inner segments, short and filiform, with a terminal tuft of jointed 
hairs or an imperfect anther, or in some species wholly deficient. Ovary 
separating from the sides of the ovary except at the base and apex. 
Style single, divided at the end into 8 spreading branches, each termi- 
nating in a eapitate or dilated stigma. Capsule globular or ovoid, often 
9-furrowed, opening loculicidally in 3 valves or sometimes cire cumsciss, 
The genus is ee spread over the warmer regions b. oth of the New and -— old 
World. Of the Australian species, one is grafis heap a common Asiatic one, the 
others are, as far as hitherto ascertain emi 
I have described the 2 outer navicular scario r ume-like organs outside the 
perianth a bracteoles from eene position at the base of the pe well as : 
their consistence and persistence, w. the broad segment enveloping the inner 
ones is peri the real satan perianth, being placed like the inner segments at the 
apex of the tube. 
Placentas of the ovary parietal, free from each other and 
extending to the te of the cavity. 
Bracts re or minutely ciliate. Anther-cells dorsally 
affixed enc connoctv ve. Staminodia penicillate. 
perek 
Payee mosca nao EH rigid, s 
Staminodia densely peni =: iw lanata. 
. Leaf-tufts annual Leaves Mer i TM 
- very slender, LE ee - » 2. X. pauciflora. 
