238 LETTER XX. 



If the same accordance existed in the structure of 

 all their other parts, it is clear, that to distinguish the 

 Tulip from the Asphodel tribe would he unnecessary ; 

 but there are distinctions in parts to which I have not 

 yet adverted, and these distinctions are considered 

 important. 



In the first place, the flowers of the Tulip are much 

 larger, and more showy than you find in the Aspho- 

 dels ; and secondly, its seeds have not the same hard 

 black brittle coat ; but in its room you have a soft pale 

 spongy integument. These are the two points upon 

 which Botanists rely for the separation of the Tulip 

 and its relations. 



It is to the Lily tribe that the Tulip belongs, toge- 

 ther -^-ith the speckled Fritillaries, Crown Imperials, 

 Day Lilies (Hemerocallis), and true Lilies (Lilium), 

 Dog's-tooth Violets (Erythronium), and Tuberoses 

 (Polyanthes), the most odoriferous of flowers. 



That the Lily tribe may be easily distinguished by 

 the large size of its flowers, must be obvious, after 

 naming such well knoT\-n plants as the above, compared 

 with which, the Asphodels, pretty as they are, sink 

 into comparative insignificance. But the difference 

 would be still more striking, if we added to the list the 

 gigantic Lilies of Nipal, one of which is described by 

 Dr. WaUich as growing ten feet high, with flowers 

 large in proportion. 



It is, however, certain, that, notwithstanding the 

 distinctions I have pointed out, the Lily tribe is very 

 closely allied to that of Asphodels, with which it also 

 coincides in its harmless qualities. We only know 



