THE AMARYLLIS FAMILY. 171 



first "differs from the Liliaeese in the inferior ovary," and 

 approaches the simple forms of the Iridacese, which, how- 

 ever, are distinguished by having three stamens instead of 

 six. 



Note. — Exercises of this Mud should be introduced and frequently 

 repeated, as soon as the pupil is in possession of a suflScient number of 

 observations to make intelligent comparisons. By this means the impor- 

 tant fact will become impressed on the mind, that groups of related 

 families may be recognized by their common characters, precisely as groups 

 of related genera are. 



SPECIAL STUDIES. 



I. Habits of the Amaryllidacese as to time of flower- 

 ing and whether these have any biological signifi- 

 cance. 



II. Geographical distribution of the family. 



III. Evolution of the Amaryllidaceee. 



Note. — The last question is not intended to encourage an unscientific 

 use of the imagination, from which, unfortunately, such studies are not 

 always free. Its purpose is to lead the pupil to form as complete a pic- 

 ture as possible of the comparatively slight change involved in the tran- 

 sition from a lily-like flower to an amarylUs. "We have a perfect right 

 to assume such an evolution as long as it accords with obvious facts and 

 explains them better than any other supposition. 



