NATURAL ORDER CRUCIFER. 
Tribe—ALyYSsINEZ. Section of genus Alyssum, having simple filaments. 
Puate IV.—Alyssum halimifolium. Linn.—Koniga halimifolia. 
Woods—Lunaria halimifolia. Allionii. 
GxnErtc.—Pod opening at a partition on its broadest diameter 
(Latisept), containing a few pendulous seeds with accumbent cotyledons. 
Stamens frequently with glands or notches at the base of their filaments. 
Petals equal. 
Speciric.—Style much shorter than the ripe pod. Seeds provided 
with a wide ring of membranous texture, placed in orbicular pods 
which form a compact cluster when ripe. Stamens of equal height, 
having anthers of an oval shape. Petals broad in the limb, then 
abruptly narrowed into a short claw. 
EXPLANATION OF PLatEe.—Plate IV. represents Alyssum halimifolium 
with flower and fruit; the latter being extremely difficult to procure ripe, 
on account of the rapidity of ripening. Fig. 1, the seed with its wide 
membranous wing. Fig. 2, the accumbent cotyledons, showing how 
the two seed-leaves lie parallel to one another under the radicle. 
Fig. 3, a flower from which the petals are taken away, displaying 
the equal stamens, and the calyx and peduncle sparingly covered with 
stellate hairs. Fig. 4, a petal showing the sudden contraction of the 
limb. Fig. 5, part of a leaf densely covered with stellate hairs, which 
give to the unassisted eye an impression of greyness. 
Remarks.—With regard to the description of this genus, I have 
ventured to omit the statement, made by most authors, that the valves 
of the pods are not veined, as I found both nerves and veins in those 
of the specimen here represented. Although this species is rare 
generally, it is sufficiently common on the higher mountains about 
Mentone ; and while never itself braving the heat of the shore, is there 
represented by the common sweet-scented little Alyssum Maritimum. 
From this latter plant the present is easily distinguished by its broad 
pod ; while the wide membranous wing round the seed separates it 
from the more nearly related species A. perusianum and A. spinosum. 
The Honesty of our Gardens is a member of the Alyssum tribe, and 
Allionii considered this genus (Lunaria) should include A. halimifolium. 
The specimen figured came from the Berceau mountain, the 9th of 
November, on which mountain and on a few others, plants may be 
found at an elevation of not less than 2,150 feet. Late blossoms may be 
gathered till the middle of November in late seasons, and in the end of 
April flowering recommences. 
