536 LILY, TULIP, PINE- APPLE. 



any great success. Still it is imagined, that, if its cultivation were 

 extended to a considerable amount in its native clime, the New 

 Zealand Flax might be introduced into this country at a price far 

 below that of Hemp and Flax, whilst superior to them in quality 

 715. The points in which the plants of the true Lily tribe 

 differ from Asphodels, are not striking or numerous. The leave? 

 are similar, being narrow and strap-shaped, with simple parallel 

 veins ; and these, together with the flower-stalks, shoot up from 

 underground bulbs. Moreover, if the flower of the Tulip or 

 Lily be examined, it will be found to consist of six leafy portions, 

 similar in colour, size, and form, and differing only in position, 

 just as in the Onion tribe. Further, these envelop six stamens, 

 within which is a three-celled ovarium, containing a number of 

 ovules in each cell. The two groups, however, are more differ- 

 ent in their general characters, than their agreement in these par- 

 ticulars would lead us to suppose. The Lily tribe are remark- 

 able for their greater general development, and the far superior 

 size of their flowers ; this becomes apparent, when we compare 

 Asphodels and Hyacinths, pretty as they are, with Tulips, Lilies, 

 Crown Imperials, &c. The particular character by which they 

 can be best distinguished, is derived from the nature of their 

 seeds ; which instead of having in the Liliaceae, as in the Aspho- 

 delese, a hard black brittle coat, have a soft pale spongy integu- 

 ment. Moreover, they attain their greatest development in the 

 warmer parts of the temperate zone, rather than in the equi- 

 noctial region. Their juices, too, are much less impregnated 

 with peculiar secretions ; so that the bulbs are more edible. 

 Some of them are cultivated abroad, as the potato is here, espe- 

 cially in Siberia ; in this country they are generally used for 

 emollient poultices. The scent of the Lily is so powerful, that 

 it distresses many persons to have the flowers near them, espe- 

 cially in a room ; but that of a species cultivated under the name 

 of the Tuberose is much more powerful, especially in the evening. 

 This is one of the flowers that has been seen to emit electric 

 sparks, which are supposed to be of electric origin. The Tulip, 

 on the other hand, is a scentless though a very showy flower. 

 It has been chiefly rendered famous by the commercial gambling 



