rush families, it appears to belong properly neither to one nor the other, 
and has been referred by Parlatore* to a separate family (Aphyllanthace), 
where it is associated with Borya, Alania, Johnsonia, and Laxmannia, all 
of which are Australian, Laxmannia alone being also found in Timor 
(Meisner). 
Among European plants our own Lancashire Asphodel (Narthecium 
ossifragum, Huds.) though widely dissimilar, comes nearer to Aphyllanthes 
than any other liliaceous plant; but it seems that we must seek for its 
true relations in Australia. 
Aphyllanthes monspeliensis is found in the Mediterranean region of 
Europe and northern Africa. It grows in Portugal, in the southern part 
of Spain and France, where it reaches as far northward as Lyons and 
Grenoble, and to near Chambery in Savoy. It was found in Algeria by 
Desfontaines, and grows in Egypt also, for it is to this species that we must 
refer the Dianthus prolifer of Forskal, Fl. Egypt. Arab. p. xxv. (Parl. 1.c. 
p- 369). This plant abounds on banks among myrtle and heath bushes 
between Marseilles and Toulon, and is not uncommon in the Department 
des Alpes Maritimes, and thence eastwards to near Genoa. I have no 
record of its existence between the Esterel mountains and Toulon, but it 
may probably be found there also. The flowers of Aphyllanthes monspe- 
liensis are very sweet during the day time. 
EXPLANATION OF PLate LXXXIX.—Fig. 1, outermost bract, and fig. 2, 
bract next above. Fig. 3, one division of perianth with stamen attached. 
Fig. 4, dehiscent capsule. Fig. 5, entire seed, and fig. 6, the same cut 
longitudinally in half, and showing the embryo. All the figs. represent 
the parts magnified; figs. 4, 5, and 6 are copied from the Traité de 
Botanique of MM. Le Maout and Decaisne, p. 584. 
* L.c. p. 364. 
Nore.—In the present plate I have inadvertently represented a plant in which the 
divisions of perianth are broader than usual. 
