of the Genus Aloe. 5 



nent species certain and easy ; and although this has not hitherto 

 been attempted by any one, yet it is much to be wondered that it 

 has not, from the uniformity so remarkable in the structure of 

 their flowers. This I have noticed above ; and it did not com- 

 pletely escape the keen eye of Linnaeus, although he did not make 

 that use of it which I am about to do. What are sections in re- 

 arrangement were little more than species with him. Speaking 

 of his Aloe pumila, which includes three species and two varieties, 

 he says, " Flores, in hoc genere certissimi indices, conjungunt 

 margaritifcram et arachnoideam." 



The extensive value of this decisive criterion, as important for 

 a section as it is fallacious for a species, I with pleasure beheld in 

 the living plants, long before I ever saw the remark itself. 



On this natural and obvious principle all my sections and subdi- 

 visions are founded ; and I have the satisfaction of asserting, that 

 they are at once absolute and easy; which all good sections ought 

 to be. Otherwise, instead of facilitating that examination they 

 are intended for, they have an evident tendency to perplex and 

 obstruct it. 



That this paper, already too long, may not be further swelled 

 in an unnecessary manner, I shall avoid detailed descriptions, 

 and give but a few synonyma to each described species and va- 

 riety ; but they shall be the best in my possession, and all very 

 carefully examined. 



The species and varieties which I have not referred to Professor 

 Willdenow's edition of Species Plant arum, now publishing are 

 not enumerated in that work ; and those which have not hitherto 

 had specific names I have marked with an asterisk. 



All the species and varieties which I have described are at this 

 present time alive in my own collection, except only A.aspera and 

 striata, and those of the Appendix. For several of the new sorts, 



and 



