78 



equalling that of II. glahella. Tlie largest blossoms observed 

 at tliis date measured 9 lines in diameter, outer perianth 

 segment 4, and inner perianth segment 3.75 lines, (Eead 

 October 3.) 



The summer plant not unfrequently bears two flowers on 

 separate pedicels in the axil of the bracts, as was surmised 

 might be the case by Bentham. 



Now, after a very searching inquiry into the habits and 

 morphology of Hypoxis fjJahelln and H. pusiJla. in the course 

 of which 1 have examined hundreds of specimens of each, I am 

 constrained to agree with Mr. Bentham, and to differ from my 

 honoured and esteemed friend, Baron 8ir E. von Mueller, that 

 they are specifically distinct ; though at the same time I must 

 acknowledge that the differential characters derived from the 

 relative inequality in length of the stamens and of their 

 auricles, the length of the perianth segments, and the shape 

 of the capsule prove to be inconstant ; but taken collec- 

 tively, and in conjunction with the very decided differences in. 

 the bracts, make it easy to separate the species. 



H. glaleUa is a larger plant, stamens nearly equal in 

 length, long anthers, scapes one-flowered, with a large erect 

 sheathing bract, usually one inch long. It inhabits preferen- 

 tially rich and moist pastures at comparatively high elevations, 

 and flowers in September and October. 



H. inisiUa, as represented by the type corresponding to our 

 form h)/€maUs, is a dwarf plant with the stamens alternately long 

 and short ; short anthers, and scapes with two setaceous bracts^ 

 sometimes two-flowered, especially in our form astivalis, which 

 often exceeds in size dwarfish specimens of 11. glabella. It 

 affects dry and loamy soils at various altitudes, which are 

 watered by direct rainfall. It flowers from May into the 

 summer months. 



