530 THE LILT FAMILY. 



the perianth ; it was removed to Squill as having the segments distinct or 

 nearly so, and is now often considered as forming a distinct genus, either 

 alone or with one or more of the intermediate species which connect it with 

 the other Squills. 



XII. MUSCARI. MUSCARI. 



Bulbous herbs, with radical, linear leaves, and a terminal raceme of 

 nodding flowers, usually blue or brown. Perianth globular or ovoid, con- 

 tracted at the mouth, with 6 minute teeth. 



A small genus, chiefly from the Mediterranean region and western Asia, 

 separated from Syacinth on account of the form of the perianth. 



1 . Grape Muscari. Muscari raceTnosum, Mill. 



{HyacintJms, Eng. Bot. t. 1931. Grape Hyacinth.) 

 Bulb rather large. Leaves narrow-linear, rather thick, but not stiff, 

 fi'om 6 inches to a foot, or when very luxuriant 1^ feet long. Stem usually 

 shorter, with a close terminal raceme or head of small dark-blue flowers, 

 looking almost Uke little berries ; a few of the uppermost of a paler blue, 

 erect, much narrower, and without stamens or pistU. 



In cultivated and waste places, heaths and pastures, in central and south- 

 ern Europe, extending eastwards to the Caucasus and northwards over a 

 great part of Germany. In Britain, it occurs in several of the southern and 

 eastern counties of England, but believed to be an introduced plant, having 

 been formerly much cultivated in flower-gardens. Fl. spring. 



XIII. ALLIUM. ALLIUM. 



Bulbous herbs, with radical leaves, sometimes sheathing the stem to a 

 considerable height. Flower-stem otherwise leafless, bearing a terminal 

 umbel or head of flowers, surrounded by a spatha of 2 or 3 thin, whitish or 

 scarious bracts. Perianth of 6 segments, distinct from the base, either 

 spreading or bell-shaped. Stamens inserted on their base, either all alike 

 or the 3 inner ones broad and 3-cleft ; the middle lobe bearing the anther. 

 Capsule with 1 or 2 black seeds in each cell. 



An extensive genus, ranging over Europe, Africa, northern Asia, and 

 North America. Most of the species possess the peculiar, well-known onion 

 or garlic smell. 



Leaves flat or keeled. 



Umbels flat or convex, of few very white flowers. Leaves quite 

 radical. 



Leaves more than an inch broad, on long stalks 7. Broad A. 



Leaves not J inch broad, not stalked 8. Triquetrous A. 



Umbels nearly globular, with numerous purple or pale flowers 

 (or bulbs). Leaves sheathing the stem at their base. 

 Leaves very narrow, and thick. Stamens all similar and en- 

 tire 3. Field A. 



Leaves flat or keeled. Inner stamens broad and 3-cleft. 

 Stamens longer than the perianth. Umbels large, rarely 



with bulbs 1. Zarge A. 



Stamens not longer than the perianth. Umbels with bulbs 



amongst the flowers 2. Sand A. 



