acceptance of this name and the continuation of the error. 

 That this name must be abandoned and that of Niobe reinstated, 

 is well supported by the above facts. 



The genus divides itself into two rather well-marked groups 

 which were considered genera by Salisbury, under the names of 

 Niobe and Bryodes. The former was applied to the plant known 

 here as Niobe plantaginea, in which the flowers are white and 

 have the filaments adnate to the tube for part of their length, 

 while the name of Bryodes was given to what is here called 

 Niobe coerulea, a group including at the present time several 

 other species, in which the flowers are smaller, colored, and have 

 the filaments free. It is said that in Niobe plantaginea there 

 is present a small bracteole at the base of the pedicel, but I find 

 this frequently wanting, so attach little value to it as a generic 

 character. In view of the above, I find it better to adopt the 

 generally accepted view of the present day, and consider the 

 two groups as parts of one genus. 



The genus may be briefly characterized as follows: 



Niobe Salisbury, Trans. Hort. Soc. i: 335. 1812 

 Bryodes Salisbury, 1. c. 



Hosta Tratt. Arch. Gew. i: 55. 1812. Not Jacq. 1797. 

 Funkia Spreng. Anl. Ed. 2, 2^: 246. 1817. 

 Libertia Dum. Comm. 9. 1822. 



Tufted perennial herbs, forming "arge masses, with petioled 

 basal leaves, and, a racemose Inflorescence borne on a naked or 

 leafy stem. Perianth varying from white to deep lavender, 

 tubular-trumpet-form, funnel-form, or campanulate-funnel-form: 

 segments six, shorter or longer than the tube. Stamens six, de- 

 clinate, from equalling to a little shorter than the perianth, the 

 filaments filiform and free or nearly so, or adnate to the tube for 

 a considerable part of their length: anthers oblong, versatile, in- 

 trorse. Ovary sessile, oblong, 3-celled. Style filiform, a little 

 thickened at the stigma. Ovules numerous. Capsule narrowly 

 oblong or almost linear, locullcidally 3-valved . Seeds compressed , 

 angled, or almost flat. 



Species seven or eight, perhaps more, natives of Japan, China, 

 and eastern Siberia. 



The following key will help identify the six species in culti- 

 vation : 



