CROCUS NEVADENS1S. 22J 



The history of the various names applied to this species is somewhat peculiar. 

 It is in all probability the plant described by Desfontaine as C. vernus, and is without 

 doubt the species included in Munby's Catalogue of Algerian plants as C. versicolor, 

 Gawl?. Baker described it in 1877 as a new species, under the name of algeriensis] 

 in the Gardeners' Chronicle; but it is most widely known as Croats atlanticus, the 

 name given to it by Pomel, in 1875. Looking through Monsieur Boissier's' her- 

 barium, I had no hesitation in identifying a Crocus from the Sierra Nevada under 

 the name of nevadensis (Arao and Campo) with the Algerian plant; and as it had been 

 so described as long ago as 1855, the name must take precedence of those applied 

 to it by Pomel and by Baker. Through the kindness of Dr. Warion, Medical Major 

 of the 2nd. Spahis, stationed at Side bel Abbes in the province of Oran, who sent 

 me a liberal supply of the corms, I have had it in cultivation since 1877, and have 

 more recently received and cultivated the Sierra Nevada plant, the identity of which 

 is unmistakeable. C. nevadensis possesses a special interest, as being the only species, 

 C. Salzmannii excepted, common to Europe and Africa. 



In Spain it occurs at an altitude of six thousand feet above the wooded region 

 of the Sierra Nevada, between Granada and the village of Gnetor Tajar; also & on 

 the Sierra de San Cristoval in the province of Ronda. 



In Algeria it is abundant near the Marocco frontier in the south-western parts 

 of the province of Oran in clearings in the forests of Pouts hakpensis, on The Tell 

 and Hautes Plauteax, at altitudes of from one thousand five hundred to three 

 thousand or three thousand five hundred feet. 



Dr. Warion informs me that it has been found at Daya, Magenta, Ras-el-ma, 

 Titenyaya, El Gor, Sebdou, Beticha, El Aricha, Ras el Assfour, and Gharrouban. 



Including both the Spanish and Algerian localities, the range of the species 

 would be between 34 and 37 north latitude and o° 30' and 5 30' west longitude. 



It is one of the earliest vernal species, flowering in Algeria from the middle of 

 January to the end of February; and under cultivation with the protection of a cold 

 frame, the flowers are produced early in January. 



The flowers rarely expand, and then are only partially open, the segments 

 bending over for about half their height. C. nevadensis is more nearly allied to 

 C. carpetanus than to any other species, particularly in the characters of the stigmata 

 and leaves. 



REFERENCES TO PLATE XLII. 



Figs. 1 & 4. Flowering-state, January 28th, actual size; cultivated specimens from the Sierra Nevada 



Figs. 2 & o. Flowering-state, March 17th, actual size; cultivated specimens from Algeria. 



Fig. 3. Outer surface of outer segments, actual size; Sierra Nevada. 



Fig. G. With matured leaves and capsule, July 11th, actual size; cultivated specimen from Algeria. 



