126 Hypoxia erecta. 



first a black and then a white sheath, or two, embracing about five, 

 long, grass-like, hairy leaves, deeply channelled, and of very un- 

 equal lengths, from five to eleven or twelve inches long, the tips 

 generally sphacelated. Scapes two, three, and four, about six inches 

 long, bearing two, three, and four flowers on peduncles of unequal 

 lengths, from one-half to three-fourths and one inch long. Both 

 scape and peduncles pubescent, with whitish hairs. The culicine 

 petals lanceolate, ovate, sub-acute, hairy, greenish -yellow exteriorly, 

 bright-yellow within. Grows in damp places, meadows^ grassy bor- 

 ders of woods, and similar situations, from Canada to Georgia, 

 flowering in May. 



The generic term Hypoxis is derived from St., underneath, and 

 o|v«, sharp, in allusion, as may be supposed from the generic de- 

 scription, to the tapering and pointed base of the capsule. The pre- 

 sent is much the most common species in the United States, but 

 from its disposition to vary has often been supposed to consist of 

 more than one species. The petals are often more pointed than 

 represented in the plate, particulaaly in flowers which have appear- 

 ed late in the summer. The leaves also, which are generally of 

 the length of those of the figure, are not unfrequently one, two or 

 three inches long, and sometimes exceed even a foot in length. 



$ 



The figure (No. 1.) is of the prevailing size of the plant, in its 

 natural situation. 



