404 CXXXIV. MELANTHACEA. 
Perianth tubular-campanulate, with a 6- it 
spreading limb . . : . . 38. WURMBEA. 
Perianth of 6, clawed, deciduous sepals. 
Claws long ; limb corivoliite: cucullate, hii a 
stamen . . . 1. ANDROCYMBIUM. 
Claws moderate ; limb flat or ‘expanded. 
Sepals 2- -saccateabovetheclaw; styles3, filiform 2. MELANTHIUM. 
Sepals with a dark spot above claw ; stigmas 
subsessile; ovary long . . 4, BROMITRA. 
Perianth of 6, sessile, persistent sepals, reflexed 
after flowering . 2 etd hoes Geks, ooh. ORNTTEOG ROCs Ene 
1. ANDROCYMBIUM, Willd. 
Perianth 6-parted, deciduous ; segments with long claws, 
conyvolute-cucullate above the claw, the hood nectariferous. 
Stamens inserted in the hood-like limb of the sepals, extrorse. 
Styles 3, short, distinct. . Capsule 3-parted; lobes opening 
on the inner face, above.— Kunth, l.c. p. 158. 
Bulbiferous, nearly stemless plants, with 2-4 broad, radical, many-nerved 
leaves. Flowers subsessile on a very short scape, crowded, hidden among 
large, leafy or coloured bracts.—Several species, some undescribed. 
2. MELANTHIUM, Linn. 
Perianth 6-parted, deciduous; segments clawed, 2-saccate 
above the claw, stellately spreading. Stamens 6, inserted at 
the base of the sepals; anthers extrorse. Styles 3, filiform, 
distinct. Capsule 3-parted.—Kunth, l.c. p. 154. 
Bulbous plants, with simple, few-leaved stems, ending in a few- or many- 
flowered spike of white or rosy flowers. Leaves sheathing at base, radical 
or cauline, the upper ones short, reduced to sheaths.—6 or 8 species. 
3. WURMBEA, Thunb. 
Perianth tubular-subeampanulate, persistent, with a 6-cleft, 
spreading limb; tube with 6 gibbosities externally at base ; 
throat plaited. Stamens in the throat of the perianth, ex. 
serted. Styles 3, filiform. Capsule 3-parted—Awnth, l.c. p. 
159. 
Small, bulbous plants, with the habit of Melanthium, and deep purple 
flowers.—3 species. 
4. BHOMITRA, Salisb. 
Perianth 6-parted, deciduous ; segments narrowed into claws 
below, lanceolate, above the claw marked with a blackish spot, 
not glandular, spreading. Stamens inserted near the summit 
of the claw. Ovary prismatic, linear, 3-celled; styles (or sub- 
sessile stigmas) very short, revolute. Capsule elongate.— 
Kunth, l.e. p. 162. 5 
B. columellaris, Sal. (Kolbea Breyniana, Schl.), is a small, bulbous plant, 
