HYPOXIDACE.E. 523 



or baccate. Seed with a thin or thick, or black and brittle spermo- 

 derm ; albumen fleshy ; embryo nearly straight ; radicle next the 

 hilum. Usually bulbous plants, sometimes with fibrous roots ; leaves 

 ensiform, with parallel veins ; flowers spathaceous ; stem sometimes 

 woody and tall. Natives chiefly of the Cape of Good Hope, but 

 species are found in Europe, East and West Indies, South America, 

 and Australia. Lindley enumerates 68 genera, and 400 species, and 

 he divides them into 4 tribes; 1. Amaryllea?, bulbs, flowers without 

 a corona. 2. Narcissese, bulbs, flowers with a corona. 3. Alstro- 

 merieas, fibrous roots, outer segments of the perianth different in form 

 from the inner. 4. Agaves, fibrous roots, both segments of the peri- 

 anth alike. Examples Amaryllis, Galanthus, Crinum, Narcissus, 

 Alstromeria, Agave. 



1071. The bulbs of many plants of this order have narcotic poison- 

 ous qualities. Some of them act as emetics, others are used in the pre- 

 paration of a kind of intoxicating spirit. The tough fibres of some are 

 used for flax. The root of Hcemanihus toxicarius is poisonous. The 

 flowers of the Daffodil (Narcissus pseudo-narcissus] are also said to 

 be poisonous. The fibres of Agave Americana, American Aloe, yield 

 Pita flax. This plant does not flower often, but when flowering begins, 

 it proceeds with great rapidity and vigour. Its roots are sometimes 

 used to adulterate Sarza. Its juice is fermented so as to form an 

 intoxicating beverage. Agave Saponaria is used in Mexico for washing. 

 The bulbs of Narcissus poeticus, N. Jonquilla, N. odorus, N. pseudo- 

 narcissus, N. Tazetta, and of some species of Pancratium are emetic. The 

 Guernsey Lily is also reputed poisonous. Some Alstromerias are diu- 

 retic. In Alstromerias (fig. 251), the leaves are twisted, so that what 

 should be the upper surface becomes the lower. In Narcissus, the 

 corona or crown of abortive filaments projects beyond the flower; while 

 in Pancratium, the dilated filaments of the fertile stamens unite together, 

 and are included within the perianth. Many ornamental garden 

 plants belong to the order. 



1072. Order 193. Hypoxidacere, the Hypoxis Family. (Mono- 

 epigyn.} Perianth petaloid, superior, usually 6-parted, regular. Sta- 

 mens 6, inserted into the base of the segments of the perianth, fila- 

 ments distinct; anthers introrse. Ovary inferior, 3 -celled; ovules 

 numerous, amphitropal ; style simple ; stigma 3-lobed. Fruit inde- 

 hiscent, sometimes succulent, 1-2- 3 -celled. Seeds 00, with a lateral 

 hilum and a beaked caruncle ; testa black and crustaceous ; embryo 

 straight, in the axis of fleshy albumen ; radicle remote from the hilum. 

 Herbaceous and usually stemless plants, with tuberous and fibrous 

 roots, radical plaited leaves, and simple or branched scapes. Natives 

 of warm countries. Some have bitter roots, others have edible tubers. 

 There are 4 known genera, including 60 species. Examples Hypoxis, 

 Curculigo. 



