XXXIV. LILIACE^. 847 



belong, the one to the LUiacece, the other to the Smilacece with an inferior ovary, connect them with the 

 epigjnoiis Monocotyledons. 



liliaccie are spread over all the world, except the Arctic zone ; they principally inhabit the tempe- 

 rate and sub-tropical regions of the Old World. Tuh'pacea, with the exception of Methmiica [referred to 

 MelartthacecB], belong to the northern hemispheie. Hemerocallidece are most frequently met with in 

 south temperate latitudes, rarely in North America and Japan. Aloinece principally inhabit South 

 Africa ; Asphodeleee, Europe. Hyacinthmea, which is the most numerous tribe, inhabit the temperate 

 regions of both hemispheres ; they are especially abundant in the Mediterranean region, and are met with 

 in Australia. Most of the genera are confined to certain countries : thus Drimia, Eucomis, Lachenalia, 

 inhabit South Africa ; Arthropodium is Australian ; while Sdlla, Urginea, Sec, are dispersed over Europe, 

 Africa and Japan. Allium is spread over all East Europe and Northand Mediterranean [and Western] Asia. 



Liliacecs are remarkable for the beauty of their flowers; at their head must be placed the Tulip 

 (Tulym Gesneriana) , the varieties of which are eagerly sought by amateurs, especially in Belgium 

 and Holland. Among the principal genera cultivated for ornament, after Tulips, must be mentioned the 

 Hyacinth, Lily, Tuberose, Yucca, Agapanthus, Tritoma, Hemerocallis, Funhia, Fritillaria, Methonica, &c. 



LUiacece contain an abundant mucilage often rich in sugar and starch, a resinous bitter substance, a 

 volatile acrid oil, and an extractable principle, combined in very different proportions, and thus exhibiting 

 a variety of properties ; some being condiments and alimentary, others yielding more or less powerful 

 medicines, and some even being poisonous. 



The bulbs of several of the tribe of TuUpacece were formerly employed in pharmacy on account of 

 their bitter atrid principle, analogous to that of Scilla. The root of Mrythronium Dens-canis was once 

 prescribed in Europe as an anthelminthic and aphrodisiac ; the North American species are used there to 

 induce vomiting. The routs of Methonica are considered very poisonous ; the bulbs of Oagea, more 

 mucilaginous and less acrid, are also used as an emetic. Those of Lilies {Lilium candidam, &c.), which 

 are very rich in starch, are employed as an emollient plaister. The fruits of Yucca are purgative ; its 

 root is used as soap. 



In the tribe of Hemerocallidew we can only cite as useful species the Tuberose {Pvliant/ies tuberosa), 

 of which the flowers are used in perfumery, and the New Zealand Flax (Phormium tcnax), cultivated in 

 some parts of western France for the sake of the fibres of its leaves, from which cordage is made. The 

 flower of Hemerocallis was formerly used as a cordial. 



The tiibe of Aloinece consists almost exclusively of Aloes, plants with thick fleshy brittle leaves, 

 which possess under their epidermis peculiar vessels filled with an extremely bitter resinous juice, much 

 used in medicine as a tonic, purgative, drastic and emmenagogue ; the principal species which yield it 

 are Aloe ferox, spicata, pUcatilis, arhorescens, from the Oape of Good Hope ; A. sooutrina, which groivs at 

 Socotra and in North-east Africa; A. vulgaris, a native of the Cape, and now naturalized in India and 

 America, and cultivated in some parts of the Mediterranean region. Sanseviera grows in India ; the root 

 of some of its species is administered for affections of the urethra and lungs, and in rheumatism. The 

 leaves of others (<S. cylindrica, &c.) abound in extremely fine textile fibres. 



The most important species of the tribe of Hyadntldnecs is the Squill {ScUla maritima or Urginea 

 Scilla'), which grows principally in Algeria ; its very large bulb is composed of numerous coats filled with 

 a viscous juice, very bitter and acrid, and even corrosive, which contains a peculiar principle (scillitine), 

 to which some of the qualities of the Squill are due. It is a powerful diuretic and an efficacious expec- 

 .torant and emetic. It is also used in tanning leather. The bulbs of Camassia esculenta are edible, and 

 sought by some Indian tribes of North America. 



The numerous species of Allium, which mostly contain nutritious matters, joined to a sulphurous 

 volatile oil, and have an acrid taste and a pungent odour, owe to these principles alimentary and 

 medicinal properties. The bulb of the cultivated Garlic (Allium sativum), used in cookery as a seasoning, 

 is also used in medicine, externally as a rubefacient, and internally as a vermifuge ; and it enters, with 

 camphor, into the composition of a celebrated prophylactic, known as Marseilles or Thieves' Vinegar. 

 The other species of Allium cultivated as condiments are the Common Onion (A. Cepa), the Winter 

 Onion {A. Jktulosum), the Eschalot {A. ascalonicum), the Leek {A. Porrum), the False Leek {A. 

 Ampelopyasum), the Rocambole {A. Scorodoprasum), and the Chive {A. Sclianoprasmn). Several other 

 species {A. Moly, nigrum, Dioscoridis, Victorialis, ursinum, &c.), formerly elaesed among the officinal 



