298 OBSERVATIONS ON PLANTS 



to be widely extended from Tripoli to Bornou, and to be 

 excellent food for camels. 



MoNocoTYLEDONEs. The number of species belonging 

 to this primary division contained in the herbarium is alto- 

 gether seventy. But Gramineas and Cyperacese being 

 excluded, thirteen only remain, namely, three species of 

 Juncus, a single Commelina, three Melanthacesej three 

 Asphodelese, one species of Iris, and two Aroidese, of vi'hich 

 Pistia Stratiotes is one. 



Of these thirteen plants, two appear to be unpublished, 

 both of them belonging to Melanthaceoe. The first, a 

 congener of Melanthium punctatum, which is also in the 

 collection, was found in Pezzan. 



The second is a species of ColcJdcum, very different 

 from any hitherto described ; and which yet, by Mr. 

 Ritchie, who first observed it, is said to be common in 

 the desert near Tripoli, where it was also found by Dr. 

 Oudney. 



This species, which 1 have named Colchicum Bitchii, is 

 easily distinguished from all its congeners by having two 

 cristse or membranous processes, which are generally fim- 

 briated, at the base of each segment of the perianthium, 

 parallel to each other and to the intermediate filament. 

 But this character, though excellent as a specific difference, 

 is neither of generic importance, nor sufficient to authorise 

 the formation of a separate section.-' 



213] Bulbocodium and Merendera, however, which, following 

 Mr. Ker,^ I consider as belonging to Colchicum, appear to 

 me decidedly to form subgenera or sections, and in this 

 opinion I am confirmed by having found a fourth section 

 of the same genus. This fourth subgenus is established 

 on Hypoxis FAscicaLARis, a plant which has been seen 

 by very few botanists, and which Linnaeus introduced 



' Colchicum {Kemodactylus) Ritchii, limbi laoiniis basi iutus bicristatis ! 

 fascicnlo 2 — multifioro, foliis linearibus. 



Obs. Spathse 2-8-florse; limbi laciniaj vel lanceolatce acutiusculse vel ob- 

 longs obtusEe; cristEB laciniarum omnium sape fimbriato-incisffi, esterionim 

 nunc integerrimsB. Ovula in singulis ovarii looulis biseriata, pkcentaruin 

 niarginibus apprnximata; neo ut in C, autumnali quadriseriata. 



s Botan. Magw. 1023, 



