Lihacee—Ornithogalun. 521 
plants, the hardy ones chiefly from the Mediterranean region. 
Name from épvs, a bird, and ydAa, milk; of obscure appli- 
cation. The following species are familiar, and the first three 
either naturalised or native in Britain. 
1. O. wmbellatum (fig. 254). Star of Bethlehem.—This 
grows about a foot high, with concave lcaves green with a 
Fig, 254. Ornithogalum wmbclatum. (} nat. size.) 
white stripe down the middle. Flowers white, numerous, 
umbellate, with slender pedicels and long bracts. May and 
June. 
2. O. Pyrendicwm.—Flowers numerous, in racemes. Fila- 
ments dilated upwards. Perianth-segments greenish-white on 
the margin. June and July. 
3. O. nittans.—Flowers racemose, fewer than in the pre- 
ceding, drooping. Filaments dilated upwards and _trifid. 
