THE WATER-UINTJES FAMILY, 271 



The flower has six perianth leaves (II., IV.), slightly 

 coherent at the base with the six stamens adherent to 

 them ; the ovary is, as usual, three-celled (III.)^ while 

 the fruit is a berry (V.) ; and the seed (VI.) with much 

 endosperm around the embryo (VII.). If the diagram 

 (IV.) be compared with that of Hypoxis, it will be 

 seen to be almost identical. In fact, the only distinctive 

 feature between the orders Amaryllidem and Liliacece, 

 is the inferior ovary of the former and the superior one 

 of the latter. 



General Description of the Lily Family. 



LLerhs, shruhs, or trees — Bulbous, or fibrous rooted 

 rhizomes, etc. 



Leaves — Mostly linear or with broad blades. 



Flowers — Mostly regular, perianth inferior; perianth- 

 leaves free or coherent ; stamens, free from or adherent 

 to perianth. 



F7nUt — Capsule or berry. 



Naiadacese. 



The Water-uintjes Family. 



This family of water or marsh plants contains about 

 120 species of 16 genera in 8 tribes. In South Africa 

 there are only 6 genera. 



Aponoge'ton. — The Water Uintjes has a tuber, which 



