THE GENUS CROCUS. 



Pistil about -H of an inch (0.017 metre) high, slightly exceeding the anthers; the Style dividing at 



the level of the middle of the anthers, and produced into erect, sub-entire, orange stigmata. 

 Scape at the flowering-time about two inches (0.050 metre) in height. 

 Capsule and Seed unknown. 



Crocus Biliottii was discovered by a native of Kroom, near Stauros, south of 

 Trebizond, in the vicinity of Stauros, latitude 40° 26 north, longitude 40 east, 

 where it was in full flower on the 28th of May, 1880. In general aspect it is 

 scarcely distinguishable from C. aerius, but the main tunic consists of thin fibro- 

 membrane, and the basal tunic of radiating fibres instead of annuli; the pollen 

 grain is also notably larger than that of C. aerius. The wild plant was probably 

 obtained at a high elevation, which will account for its late flowering-time. In cultiva- 

 tion it flowers from the end of January to the middle of March. It is a more robust 

 plant than C. aerius, the leaves being larger and coarser. I have much pleasure 

 in naming it after Mr. A. Biliotti, Her Majesty's Consul at Trebizond, through 

 whose instrumentality it was discovered and introduced to cultivation. 



REFERENCES TO PLATE LVI*. 



Fig. 1. Flowering-state, January "2(ith to March loth, actual size. 



Fig. i. Inner surface of outer segment, actual size. 



Fig. 3. With matured leaves, April 12th, actual size. 



Fig. 4. Diagrammatic dissection of scape, ovary, and spathes, actual size. 



Fig. 5. Stamens and Pistil, magnified two-fold. 



Fi°-. 6. Pollen Grain, magnified one hundred and fifty-fold. 



Fig. 7. Stigmata, magnified sbc-fold. 



Fig. 8. Section of leaf, magnified six-fold. 



Fi< r . 9. Corm tunics, magnified two-fold: a, cap; b, main tunic; c. basal tunic. 



