620 MELANTHACE^E. 



9. GAGEA. 



1. G. lutea (Yellow Gagea). The only British species. 

 Woods and pastures, rare. A bulbous plant 6 8 

 inches high, with long narrow leaves, and umbels of 

 yellow flowers. Fl. March May. Perennial. 



10. TULIPA (Tulip). 



1. T. sylvestris (Wild Tulip). The only British 

 species. Chalk-pits, rare. A bulbous plant with very 

 narrow leaves, and a solitary, yellow, drooping flower, 

 which is fragrant, and much smaller than the garden 

 Tulip. Fl. April. Perennial. 



11. FRITILLARIA (Fritillary). 



1. F. Meledgris (Fritillary, Snake' s-head). The only 

 British species. Meadows and pastures in the east and 

 south of England, not common. A bulbous plant, with 

 very narrow leaves, and a solitary drooping flower, shaped 

 like a Tulip, and curiously chequered with pink and 

 dull purple. Fl. April. Perennial. 



ORD. LXXXIX. MELAISTTHACE^E. 



MEADOW-SAFFRON TRIBE. 



Calyx and corolla alike, coloured, in 6 pieces, or 

 united below into a tube ; stamens 6 ; anthers turned 

 outwards ; ovary 3-celled ; style deeply 3-cleft ; capsule 

 divisible into 3 pieces ; seeds, each contained in a mem- 

 branous case. A small tribe, containing some plants 

 approaching the Lilies in habit, and others, the Crocuses, 

 confined to no particular countries, but most frequent 

 in the northern hemisphere. Many species possess 

 acrid and poisonous properties, and are used to destroy 

 vermin. Colchicum (Meadow Saffron) is used as a 

 specific for the gout, but it is considered a dangerous 

 medicine. 



