196 ENGLISH BOTANY. 
Var. 6, angustifolium. 
O. angustifolium, Bor. l.c. p. 625. 
Leaves very narrowly linear, “erect when young” (Boreaw). 
Flowers 3 to 5. 
In meadows, pastures, orchards, etc. Not native, but found in many 
places in England, and a few in Scotland. Var. @ in the Isle of 
Wight in several places(?). (See Fl. Vect. p. 501.) 
[England, Scotland.] Perennial. Early Summer. 
Bulb flowering when the size of a filbert, producing a number of 
elongate offset bulbs by which the plant increases rapidly, and thus 
becomes readily naturalised. Leaves commonly longer than the stem, 
at least in var. a, the tips withered by the time the flowers expand, 
and wholly decayed before the fruit is ripe. Stem 6 inches to 1 foot 
high. Bracts longer than the young flowers, but shorter than the 
fruiting peduncles. Flowers in a corymb while expanded, but the 
rachis lengthens after flowering until the corymb is converted into 
a short raceme. Perianth leaves $ inch long, narrowly elliptical, pure 
white within, with a broad green stripe down the back of each of the 
outer ones, and a narrow stripe down the back of the three inner. 
Anthers yellowish-white. Fruit oblong-turbinate, with six furrows 
and six prominent angles. Seeds about the size of No. 6 shot, black, 
nearly smooth when fresh, rugose when 
The flowers expand only in the forenoon, and then only when the 
weather is fine. 
Common Star of Bethlehem. 
French, Ornithogale en ombelle. German, Ebenstraussige Vogelmilch. 
This plant is a native of the countries round the Mediterranean, but being fre- 
quently cultivated in gardens, has no doubt become naturalised in this country. 
The bulbs are nutritious, and form a palatable and wholesome food when boiled. In 
the East they are often eaten, and are roasted like chestnuts. Linngus and other 
botanists have imagined that this plant was the substance mentioned in 2 Kings vi. 25, 
as having been sold at a great price during the siege of Samaria, and which our trans- 
lators have rendered “ dove’s dung.” There does not, however, appear to be much 
evidence in support of this opinion; and Bochart tells us that the Arabs give the 
name of “ dove’s dung” to a kind of moss that grows on trees and stony ground, and 
also to a sort of pulse or pea which appears to have been very common in India. 
Large quantities of the bulbs are parched and dried, and stored in magazines at 
Cairo and Damascus. It is much used during journeys, and especially by the great 
pilgrim caravan to Mecca, and it may easily be supposed to haye been among the pro- 
visions stored up in the besieged city, and sold at the extravagant price mentioned, 
about half a pint for twelve shillings and sixpence. On the other hand, Morier 
and other travellers contend for the literal accuracy of our translation. It is the 
Bolbine alba of Pliny, and is also referred to by Theophrastus, Hist. Pl, and by 
Dioscorides. 
