520 THE AMARYLLIS FAMILY. 



II. SNO^VDROP. G-ALANTHUS. 



A single species, distinguished as a genus from Snow/lake by the inner 

 perianth-segments being shorter than the outer ones, and by the finely 

 pointed anthers opening at the top only. 



1. Common Sno'wdrop. Galanthus nivalis, Linn. 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 19.) 



Bulb rather small. Leaves 2 or rarely 3, narrow-Unear, short at the 

 time of flowering, but lengthening considerably afterwards. Stem 6 inches 

 to near a foot high, with a single drooping, sweet-scented flower, shortly 

 pedicellate above the terminal bract or spatha. Perianth-segments quite 

 distinct down to the ovary, the 3 outer ones pure white, oblong, about 8 or 9 

 lines long, the 3 inner about half that length, and usually tipped with green. 



In woods and shady pastures, in central and southern Europe, extending 

 eastward to the Caucasus and northward into central Germany. In Bri- 

 tain, probably not indigenous, but long cultivated in cottage gardens, and 

 now perfectly naturalized in many parts of England, and here and there in 

 Ireland and Scotland. Fl. early spring. 



III. SNO^VFIiAKE. LEUCOIUM. 



Flowers solitary or several together, from a terminal spatha. Pei-ianth- 

 segments 6, nearly equal, distinct down to the ovary or shghtly cohering at 

 the base. Anthers obtuse, opening in longitudinal slits. 



A genus of veiy few species, chiefly south European, and distributed by 

 some garden botanists into almost as many genera. 



1. Summer Suowflake. Zieucoium sestivnm, Linn. 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 621.) 



Bulb lai'ger than that of the Snowdrop. Leaves few, a foot long or more, 

 like those of a Narcissus. Stem 1 to I2 feet high, with a terminal cluster 

 of 2 to 6 broadly bell-shaped flowers, on pedicels varying from 1 to 2 inches 

 in length, arising from a sheatliing bract or spatha. Perianth-segments 

 ovate, about 6 hues long, of a pm-e white, with a short, sometimes green- 

 ish tip. 



In meadows, in central and southern Europe, extending eastward to the 

 Caucasus, and northward rather further than the Snoiodrop. Occurs in 

 several of the south-eastern counties of England, with more probabihty of 

 being really indigenous than in the case of the Snowdrop, and less frequently 

 cultivated. Fl. spring, rather late. 



LXXXIII. THE YAM FAMILY. DIOSCOEIDE^E. 



Climbing plants, with tuberous or woody rootstocks, alter- 

 nate leaves with netted veins between the ribs, and small, 

 unisexual flowers. Perianth of 6 divisions. Stamens in the 

 males 6. Ovary in the females inferior, 3-celled, with 1 to 



