234 



AMARYLLIDE^i. 



[CLASS 



OBSERVE the corona referred to at page 43. It is very 

 much shorter in other species, as in the white-flowered 

 Poet's Narcissus (N.poeticus) and Jonquil (N.Jonquilla). 

 It is wanting in Snowdrop (Galanthus). 



'-- FIG. 177. Vertical section of flower of Daffodil. 



Amaryllidaceas much resemble Lilies, differing prin- 

 cipally in their inferior ovary. 



The bulbs of several species yield a poisonous juice, 

 and the flowers of Daffodil are said to be very poisonous. 



One of the most important exotic species is the so- 

 called American Aloe (Agave americana), which has 

 become thoroughly naturalized in countries bordering 

 uoon the Mediterranean. From the Agave the Mexicans 

 prepare an intoxicating beverage in common use, called 

 " pulque." 



71. Natural Order Dioscoreacea?. The Yam Family. 



DISTRIBUTION. A small Order, chiefly confined to 

 tropical and sub-tropical countries.- One British genus, 

 species i. 



