852 XXXVIII. MELANTHACE^. 



conformed to the outer, rarely hollowed into a nectariferous sac (Tricyrtis, Melan- 

 thiitm, Androcymbium) ; the claw often furnished with pores or glandular pits 

 (Uvularia, Burchardia, Omithoglossum) ; aestivation imbricate (Colchicum, Tofieldia, 

 Veratrum), valvate (Tricyrtis), or sub-valvate (Tofieldia nepalensis). STAMENS 6, or 

 very rarely 3 (Scoliopus), inserted at the base, or above the claw of the perianth- 

 leaflets, very rarely hypogynous (Uvularia), sometimes mingled with staminodes 

 (Kreysigia) ; filaments filiform, free, often persistent; anthers 2-celled, or falsely 

 1 -celled (Veratrum), usually dorsifixed, very rarely basifixed (Helonias), extrorse in 

 bud, and versatile after flowering, or introrse (Tofieldia, Bulbocodium, Colchicum, 

 Amianthium) ; cells linear (Colchicum, Uvularia, Tricyrtis, Ledebouria, &c.), or reni- 

 forin, or didyinous (Amianthium, Veratrum, Melanthium, Helonias, &c.) ; dehiscence 

 longitudinal, rarely transverse (Amianthium). OVARY superior, or very rarely semi- 

 inferior (Zygadenus, ? Tofieldia, ? Veratrum), 3-eelled and formed of 3 carpels, 

 rarely simple and 1-celled (Monocaryum) ', styles 3, opposite to the ovary-cells, 

 distinct and papillose-stigmatiferous along their inner edge, or more or less con- 

 nate below, and terminated by three stigmas ; ovules inserted at the inner angle 

 of the cells, 1-2-many-seriate, usually numerous, anatropous or semi-anatropous. 

 FRUIT usually capsular, membranous or coriaceous, 3-celled, sometimes of 3 follicles, 

 sometimes opening in three semi-placentiferous loculicidal valves (Omithoglossum, 

 Anguillaria, Tricyrtis, &c.), rarely sub-baccate, and opening at the top (Uvularia), 

 very rarely an indehiscent berry (Drapiezia). SEEDS usually numerous, globose, 

 angular, oblong or compressed ; testa thin, membranous, soft and suberose, or black 

 and brilliant (Disporum); albumen copious, coriaceous or cartilaginous. EMBRYO 

 included, small ; radicle near or distant from the hiluni. 



TRIBE I. VERATREJE. 



Stem or scape leafy. Flowers axillary, solitary, or raceined or spiked. Styles 

 short, usually distinct. Perianth leaves free, sessile, or very shortly clawed, some- 

 times united at the base. Ovary free or semi-inferior. 







PKINCIPAL GENERA. 



Tofieldia. Amianthium. Schelhammera. * Veratrum. Zygadenus. 



* Uvularia. Asagraya. Burchardia. * Tricyrtis. * Xerophyllum. 



Omithoglossum. * Disporum. * Helonias. Anguillaria. Scoliopus. 

 Scha;nocaulon. Melanlhium. 



TRIBE II. COLCHICEM 



Stemless. Flowers springing from a subterranean bulb. Perianth tubular, 

 or with long clawed segments, naked or crested. Ovaries free ; styles fragile, 

 distinct, or more or less coherent. 



PRINCIPAL GENERA. 

 * Colchicum. * Merendera. * Bulbocodium. 



