298 OBSERVATIONS ON PLANTS 



to be widely extended from Tripoli to Bornoii, and to be 

 excellent food for camels. 



MoNocoTYLEDONES. Tlic numbcT of species belonging 

 to this primary division contained in the herbarium is alto- 

 gether seventy. But Gramineae and Cyperacese being 

 excluded, thirteen only remain, namely, three species of 

 Juncus, a single Commelina, three Melanthacese, three 

 Asphodelese, one species of Iris, and two Aroidese, of which 

 Pistia Stratiotes is one. 



Of these thirteen plants, two appear to be unpublished, 

 both of them belonging to ^lelanthaceoe. The first, a 

 congener of Melanthium punctatum, wdiich is also in the 

 collection, was found in Pezzan. 



The second is a species of CoIcJticiim, very different 

 from any hitherto described ; and which yet, by Mr. 

 Ritchie, who first observed it, is said to be common in 

 the desert near Tripoh, where it was also found by Dr. 

 Oudney. 



This species, which 1 have named Colchicum RitcJdiy is 

 easily distinguished from all its congeners by having two 

 cristas or membranous processes, which are generally fim- 

 briated, at the base of each segment of the perianthium, 

 parallel to each other and to the intermediate filament. 

 But this character, though excellent as a specific difi'erence, 

 is neither of generic importance, nor sufficient to authorise 

 the formation of a separate section.-^ 



242] Bulbocodium and j\Ierendera, however, which, following 

 Mr. Ker,~ I consider as belonging to Colchicum, appear to 

 me decidedly to form subgenera or sections, and in this 

 opinion I am confirmed by having found a fourth section 

 of the same genus. This fourth subgenus is estabhshed 

 on ITypoxis fascicdlaris, a plant which has been seen 

 by very few botanists, and Avhich Linnaeus introduced 



' Colchicum {Hermodact^lus) Rltchii, limbi laciniis basi intus blcristatis ! 

 fasciculo 2 — multifloro, foliis linearibus. 



Obs. Spathce 2-S-florfc; limbi laciniaj vel lanceolatse acutiusculte vel ob- 

 longce obtusas; cristas laciniarum omnium sa?pc fimbriato-iiicisa?, exteriorum 

 nunc integerrimffi, Ovula in singulis ovarii loculis biseriala, placeutarum 

 niarginibus approximata; nee ut in C. antumnali quadriseriata, 



8 Botan. Magaz, 1028. 



