196 



MANUAL OF BOTANY 



racter.— Balboas or fibrous-rooted plants, without any aerial 

 stem, or sometimes with a woody one. Leaves with parallel 

 venation, and usually linear-ensiform, sometimes dry and harsh. 



Fig. 942. 



Fig. 943. 



Fig. 945. 



Fig. 942. Diagram of the flower of a species of Iris, showing solitary 

 bract below, six divisions to the perianth arranged in two whorls, three 



stamens, and a three-colled oyary with axile placentation. Fig. 943. A 



fl^ower of the Spring Crocus (Crocus vernus) out open to show the three 



extrorse stamens attached to the outer segments of the perianth. Fig. 



944. The three petaloid stigmas of the same with the end of the style, 



Fig. 945. Yertical section of the flower of Iris germanica. ce, ce. Two 



of the external and larger divisions of the perianth, ci. One of the internal 

 and smaller divisions, t. Tube formed by the union of the divisions of 

 the perianth. ^, e. Stamens, covered by the petaloid stigmas, s, s. o. In- 

 ferior ovary, with numerous ovules, g, attached to placentas in the axis. 



Fig. 946. Vertical section of the seed of the same. /. Integuments of 



the seed. p. Albumen, e. Embryo, m. Mioropyle. Prom Jussieu. 



Flowers usually on scapes, and spathaceous. Peria/nth regular 

 or nearly so, petaloid, superior with six divisions, and with or 

 without a corona ; gestivation imbricate or valvate. Stamens 6, 



