262 SOUTH AFRICAN FLOWERING PLANTS. 



Amaryllidaceae. 



The Belladonna Family. 



This contains some 650 species of 64 genera in 

 5 tribes. South Africa has 21 genera in 2 tribes. It 

 differs from Iridem in having six stamens, but with 



a similar inferior ovary. 

 This last feature is the 

 only one which separates 

 it from the Lily family 

 {Liliaceoe), in which it is 

 superior. 



Neri'ne. — There are 

 several species, of which N. 

 Sarnien'sis, the " Guernsey 

 Lily," is common about 

 Table Mountain. It ob- 

 tained this name in conse- 

 quence of a ship having 

 been wrecked on the shore 



Fig. 102.— iVen'we 'S'arniew'sis (Guernsey of GuemseV in 1680; 

 Lily). -^ 



quantities of the bulbs 

 which formed part of the cargo were thrown ashore, so 

 it became cultivated there and known as the Guernsey 

 Lily (Fig. 102). 



The flower of this, as of all the members of the order, 

 is very simple. The inferior ovary and superior perianth 



