788 XL AMARYLLIDE^E. 



5 , elegant, regular or irregular, solitary or umbellate, or rarely in aggregated spikes 

 (Doryanthes), enclosed in spathaceous bracts. PERIANTH superior, petaloid, 6- 

 phyllous, or tubular-infundibuliform ; limb 6-partite, 2-seriate, regular or ringent, 

 imbricate, deciduous or inarcescent, often bearing at the throat a petaloid crown 

 simulating an accessory corolla (Narcissus, Pancratium, &c.). STAMENS inserted either 

 on an epigynous disk or on the tube or throat of the perianth, 6, opposite to the 

 divisions of the perianth, or sometimes 12-18 (Gethyllis), then very rarely all fertile ; 

 filaments cohering by their dilated bases, equal and erect, or unequal and inclined ; 

 anthers introrse, 2-celled, basi- or dorsi-fixed, erect or incumbent, very rarely adnate 

 within to a thick connective (Chlidanthus) , opening by 2 longitudinal slits, or at 

 their tips. OVARY inferior, 8-celled, rarely sub-1-celled (Calostemma) ; style simple, 

 erect, or inclined with the stamens ; stigma undivided or 3-lobed ; ovules numerous, 

 rarely definite (Griffinia, Hocmanthus, Calostemma, &c.), 2-seriate at the central angle 

 of the cells, parietal in the 1 -celled ovary, usually horizontal or pendulous, rarely 

 ascending (Griffinia, Hccmanthus, Gethyllis, &c.), always anatropous. FRUIT a 

 loculicidally 3-valved capsule, or rupturing irregularly, rarely 1-2-celled by arrest, 

 sometimes an indehiscent berry (Gethyllis, Hcemanthus, Sternberyia, Olivia, &c.). 

 SEEDS shortly funicled, rarely solitary, sub-globose, angular or flat ; testa sometimes 

 membranous or papery, often margined or winged ; sometimes thick and fleshy, 

 or even enormously hypertrophied (Pancratium, Calostemma, &c.) ; raphe longitudinal, 

 deep seated, sometimes fleshy ; chalaza apical ; albumen fleshy. EMBRYO straight, 

 axile, shorter than the albumen ; radicle reaching to the hilum, centripetal or superior, 



rarely inferior. 



PRINCIPAL GENERA. 



* Galantluis. * Sternbergia. * Crinutn. * Calostemma. *Leucqjum. 

 ' Oporauthua. * Htcinanthus. * Pancratium. * Amaryllis. * Criflinia. 



Eustephia. * Narcissus. Gethyllis. * Alstrcemeria. * Doryanthes. 



* Clivia. * Bomarea. 



AGAVES. (Cl.OSELT ALLIED CfENEHA.) 



* Agave. Fourcroyn. 



Amaryttidete only differ from Liliacea (which see) in their inferior ovary. They approach Irideae, 

 IIypo.ri(leee, and Hamodoracca : Iridece are separated by triandry and extrorse anthers ; Ifypo.ridt'a by 

 habit, the texture of their flower, and their black crustaceous testa ; Htemodoracete by their stamens, which 

 are often reduced to three, their not bulbous roots, &c. Agavcte are true Amaryttidcte, without bulbs, 

 with valvate perianth-segments and a fistular style perforated at the top, and they we further remarkable 

 for their spiny fleshy leaves and their often gigantic scape, which flowers but once, and terminates in a 

 large panicle. 



AmaryUideee mostly grow in temperate or tropical regions; the remarkable fact in their geographical 

 distribution is that the genera without a corona to the perianth are very rare in Europe and North 

 America, but abound in South Africa and trans-equatorial America. Several genera are confined to 

 Europe, South Africa, America, and Australia respectively. The Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) alone 

 reaches high latitudes. Crinum and Pancratium prefer seashores in temperate and hot regions. At/ave 

 americana is now spread throughout the tropics, and even into Mediterranean Europe and Africa, where 

 it is used for fences. 



AmaryUideee are much sought as ornamental plants, and rival Lihaceee in the magnificence of their 

 flowers and the sweet smell of several species, which are therefore used in perfumery. Their properties 



