lilLIACE^. 523 



leaves, and a single terminal flower. Perianth of 8 or rarely 10 narrow 

 segments. Stamens as many. Ovary with 4 or rarely 5 cells, and as many 

 distinct styles or stigmas. 



A genus containing, besides the European species, only two or three 

 Asiatic ones. 



1. Comtuon Paris. Paris quadrifolia, Linn. 



(Eng. Bot. t. 1. Herb-Paris) 



Stem 9 inches to a foot high, with a whorl of 4 broadly-ovate or obovate 

 leaves, 2 to 3 or 4 inches long. Peduncle rising to 1 or 2 inches above the 

 leaves. Perianth of a yellowish-green colour ; the 4 outer segments narrow- 

 lanceolate, about an inch long ; the 4 inner ones hnear and rather more 

 yellow. Anthers linear, on slender filaments. Berry of a bluish-black 

 colour. Sometimes, but rarely, there is a fifth leaf, with the addition of a 

 fifth to each of the parts of the flower. 



In woods and shady places, dispersed over Europe and Russian Asia, 

 from the Mediterranean to the Arctic Circle, but not generally very com- 

 mon. Scattered over several parts of Britain, but usually very local. Fl. 

 spring or early summer. 



II. SOLOraON-SEAI.. POLYGONATUM. 



Stems annual, erect and leafy, with a thick horizontal rootstock. Leaves 

 parallel-veined. Flowers axillary, droopmg. Perianth tubular, shortly 

 6-cleft. Stamens 6, inserted in the perianth. Ovary 3-celled, with 2 ovules 

 in each cell. Style slender, with an entire stigma. Fruit a small berry. 



A small genus, spread over the northern hemisphei'e without the tropics, 

 easily known by its foUage and inflorescence. 



Leaves whorled, narrow 1. Whorled S. 



Leaves alternate. 



flowers usually several in each axil. Filaments hairy 3. Common S. 



Flowers 1 or rarely 2 in each axil. Filaments glabrous 3. Angular S. 



1. 'Whorled Solomon-seal. Polygonatum verticillatum, All. 

 {Convallaria, Eng. Bot. t. 128.) 



Stem about 2 feet high. Leaves numerous, in whorls of 3, 4, or 5, nar- 

 row-lanceolate, 2 to 3 inches long, of a bright green. Flowers usually 

 several in each axil, on short brandling peduncles or rarely solitai-y. Peri- 

 anth about 4 lines long, white, with greenish tips. Berries of a dark, nearly 

 black blue, or red according to Kocli. 



In woods and shady places, in the mountain districts of Europe and 

 central Asia, extending far into Scandinavia. Veiy rare in Britain, being 

 only known from near BeUingham, in Northumberland, and near Dunkeld, 

 in Perthshire. FL June. 



2. Common Solomon-seal. Polygonatum multiflorum, All. 



{Convallaria, Eng. Bot. t. 279.) 

 Stems near 2 feet high, erect or rather inclining to one side. Leaves alter- 

 nate, ovate or oblong, 3 or 4 inches long, all usually turning to one side. 

 Flowers 2 to 7 or 8 together, on short branching peduncles, usually turned 

 to the lower side of the stem away from the leaves. Perianth 7 or 8 lines 

 long, white, with greenish tips. FUaments and style liairy, all included 

 within the perianth. Berries of a dark blue, or red according to Godron. 



