8 THE GENUS CROCUS. 



or about the value of new potatoes. In view of the fact that the small wild corms 

 of several species of Crocus are largely used as food in Syria and several parts 

 of Asia Minor, where they have a regular commercial value, and looking at their 

 nutritious composition, more than half the weight consisting of sugar and starch, 

 their culture and use as an article of food may be worth consideration. 



REFERENCES TO PLATE XXVI. 



Fig. 1. Flowering-state, March, actual size; a, and 5, from Pratolino near 



Florence; c from Mont Cenis. 

 Fi". 2. With matured leaves and capsule, July 8th, actual size. 

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

 Fig. 4. Stamens and Pistil, magnified two-fold. 

 Fig. 5. Pollen Grain, magnified one hundred and fifty-fold. 

 Fig. 6. Stigmata, magnified six-fold. 

 Fig. 7. Section of leaf, magnified six-fold. 



Fig. 8. Corm tunics, magnified two-fold: d, cap; e, main tunic; /, hasal tunic. 

 Fig. 9. Seed, magnified six-fold. 



REFERENCES TO PLATE XXV M. 



Figs.l & 2. Crocus verms, from Monte Sirrente, Abmzzi. 



Fig. 3. Crocus vernits, from Dalmatia. 



Fig. 4. var. hucorhjneus. b, Stamens and Pistil, magnified two-fold. 



Figs 5, 7, & 8. Horticultural varieties. 



Fig. 6. var. albiflorus, March 16th: b, Stamens and Pistil, magnified two-fi: 



Fig. 9. var. siculus, March 11th: b, outer surface of Segment, actual size. 



