A South American A Ilium 



Here is a plant with a nightcap; or, if you prefer, a 

 dunce-cap. The protective covering of the flower-bud has burst 

 open, but has not been discarded; hence the curious effect. This is 

 not, as might be supposed, a mere accidental individual pecu- 

 liarity, but is characteristic of the species. It might be 

 difficult to guess, however, what protective 

 function the nightcap subserves. 



