52 Mil dla diphylla, 



long, inserted into a joint of the root, round, loosely invested, parti- 

 cularly near the leaf, with bristle-like hairs. Stems, several from the 

 same root, erect, cylindrical, hispid, two-leaved. The pair of leaves 

 much smaller than those of the root, being situated about two or 

 three inches from the summit of the spike of flowers. The latter 

 about eight in number, distinctly separated. Flowers cream-white, con- 

 sisting of five fringed spreading petals, giving to the front view a 

 stellated appearance. On the banks of water-courses near rivulets- 

 flowering in May. Perennial. 



The genus to which the present plant belongs, was so named by 

 Tournefort, in allusion to the shape of the ripe seed vessel, which, 

 with its two-pointed lobes, resembles a little mitre. It is, with the ex- 

 ception of Mitella nuda of Northern Africa, an American genus, con- 

 sisting of live known species. The one here figured, rarely exceeds 

 fourteen or fifteen inches in height, and in the largest specimens the 

 flowers are not larger than is represented in the plate. It grows 

 throughout the union. Near this city it is pretty abundant on the 

 Wissahickon creek; I have only met with it there. 



