III.] 



LILIACEAi. 



3ii 



males in slender panicles, the females in simple spikes ; and 

 three-lobed, capsular fruits. 



A small Family, widely spread through hot countries ; one 

 species with berried fruits representing it in Britain. The 

 species much resemble the Sarsaparilla Tribe of the Lily 

 Family in habit, with which they agree in having net-veined 

 leaves. The inferior ovary, however, at once distinguishes 

 them. The species are generally acrid, but, in those afford- 

 ing the large tuberous roots called Yams, this acridity, 

 when present, is removed by cooking. Several variable 

 species are cultivated for Yams in nearly all tropical 

 countries. Their culture is believed to have spread from 

 South-Eastern Asia and the Archipelago. 



Observe the minute green bulbels often borne in the 

 axils of the leaves of the Type-species. 



102. Natural Order, Liliacece. — The Lily Family. 

 Herbs (in DraccBiia shrubs or trees), with a six-leavefl 

 petaloid perianth. Ovary superior, three-celled. 



Type — Drac(^na ferrea. 



