172 ANDROSTEPHIUM VIOLACEUM. CROWNED LILY. 



corm we find a thick, fleshy, root-like projection (Fig. 4) extend- 

 ing downwards larger than the corm itself, and very different from 

 the thready rootlets appearing from the upper portion. Why so 

 much of the substance of the old plant should be spent in form- 

 ing this fleshy root is not clear, unless the plant expects to get 

 repaid for the exertion in the amount of moisture such a spongy 

 mass may draw in, and which, in the dry places in which the 

 plant usually is found, would be very desirable when the plant is 

 in flower. 



As we have said, little is yet known of it from its native places 

 of growth. Dr. Torrey notes that his specimens were gathered 

 by Dr. R. Gleason, near Fort Arbuckle, and that it grows " on 

 hills and prairies, on the Rivers Blanco and Colorado in Texas," 

 and so late as 1871, Mr. Watson, in Clarence King's Report, 

 speaks of it as consisting of a single "Texan" species. But in 

 1875, Dr. Parry found it in Southern Utah, where, he says, it is 

 quite common on gravelly hills near St. George, and among the 

 earliest of spring flowers, to give a character to the remarkable 

 scenery. Our illustration is probably from the same section as 

 noted by Dr. Parry, as the specimen was kindly sent to us by 

 Mr. John Reading, of Salt Lake City. 



It makes a beautiful picture as drawn by our artist for the 

 plate, and it will probably become a very popular hardy spring 

 flowering " bulb " in our gardens. 



Explanations of the Plate. — l. A complete plant in flower. 2. An unexpaiided flower, cut 

 down lengthwise to show the internal organs. 3. The old corm with young buds. 4. A 

 thick, fleshy root, proceeding from the base of the old corm. 



