CROCUS CLUSII. 



107 



Crocus C/usii has a more westerly extension than any other species of Crocus, 

 and occurs in western Spain and Portugal, between 6° and 9^° west longitude, 

 and 36^° and 42" north latitude. It occurs in pine forests between Chiclana and 

 Port St. Mary, near Cadiz (365-° north latitude); from which locality it was erroneously 

 identified by Herbert as C. serotinus. It is a common species in Portugal, and 

 is the only autumnal Crocus occurring there. I have collected it in several localities 

 in the neighbourhood of Lisbon, Cintra, and Oporto. It has been recorded from 

 the Serra d'Arrabida, and pine forests south of the Tagus; Monsanto, near Lisbon; 

 Serra de Cintra, near the Cork Convent; Bellas, near Lisbon; mountains in Estre- 

 madura, bordering the Tagus; Beira, Serra de St. Louis; Val Alvatara; Serra 

 d'Estrella, near De Guarda; Serra de Monsar (Mansa?), Estremadura; the Cam- 

 panha, and granite quarries north of Oporto; and the Serra de Gerez, between 

 the rivers Douro and Mino (Lat. 41°. 45' n.). 



Many herbaria contain this species under the name of C. serotinus, from which 

 it is distinguished by its reticulated corm tunic. 



Under strict classification C. C/usii should be placed with the Reticulati; but 

 as its affinities are so obviously with the Spanish and North African autumnal 

 species, it is more consistent with natural grouping to place it here. The rich 

 red papillose seed distinguishes it from any other species occurring in western 

 Europe. 



The leaves of C. Clusii are well developed before the flowers appear. It 

 commences to flower towards the latter part of September, continuing till November, 

 and into December. 



REFERENCES TO PLATE X. 



Fig. 1. a, b, c, Autumnal flowering-state, actual size. 



Fig. 2. Fruiting-state, June 17th, actual size. 



Fig. 3. Diagrammatic dissection of scape, ovary, and spathes, actual size. 



Figs. 4 & 5. Stamens and Pistil, magnified two-fold. 



Figs. & 7. Stigmata, magnified six-fold. 



Fig. 8. Leaf section, magnified twelve-fold. 



Fig. 9. Seed, magnified six-fold. 



Fig. 10. Corm tunics, magnified two-fold: d, cap; e, main tunic;/, basal tunic. 



Fig. 11. Pollen Grain, magnified one hundred and fifty-fold. 



