THE MOJRJEA AND GLADIOLUS FAMILY. 



561 



If the reader will compare the flower of Glacl'iolus 

 with that of Lcono'tis (Fig. 85), it will be seen that the 

 modification for pollination is precisely the same, as 

 well as in Duvcrnoi'cr (Fig. 13), and indeed in many 

 other flowers of quite different families. 



The cultivated kinds of 

 Glad'iolus are in many cases 

 hybrids between wild South 

 African species, and bear much 

 larger and handsomer flowers 

 in consequence. 



Fig. IQ\.— Glad'iolus. 



General Description of the 

 Morcca and Gladiolus Family. 



Herbs — With bulbs, corms, 

 or rhizomes. 



Leaves — Narrow, ensiform, 

 or " sword-like." 



Flowers — Perianth, superior, tubular, limb regular or 

 irregular; stamens, 3, free or united, and adherent to 

 the perianth ; anthers, extrorse ; ovary, inferior, issuing 

 from a sheathing bract. 



Fruit — Capsule, 3-celled. 



