Tofieldia. | LXXXV. LILIACEE. 467 
and within the bract is a still smaller 2-lobed or 3-lobed one, sometimes 
quite imperceptible, but never placed at the top of the pedicel as in the 
larger species which is common in central Europe. 
In the bogs of northern Europe, Asia, and America, and of the great 
mountain-ranges of central Europe, but always at high latitudes or in 
alpine situations. Not uncommon in the mountains of Scotland and 
northern England, but not found in Ireland. FU. summer, 
XVIII. COLCHICUM. COLCHICUM. 
Bulbous herbs, with radical leaves, and the large, almost radical, long- 
tubed flowers of Crocus. Stamens 6. Ovary underground, but within the 
tube of the perianth, not below it. Styles 3, very long and thread-like. 
Capsule 3-valved, with many seeds. 
A small genus, chiefly Mediterranean and West Asiatic, with the habit 
of Crocus, but very different stamens, ovary, and styles. 
1. C. autumnale, Linn. (fig. 1057). Common Colchicum, Meadow 
- Saffron.—At the time of flowering there are no leaves; the brown bulb 
ending in a sheath of brown scales, enclosing the base of the flowers, whose 
long tube rises to 3 or 4 inches above ground, with 6 oblong segments of a 
reddish-purple or rarely white, and near 13 inches long. Soon afterwards 
the leaves appear and attain in spring a length of 8 or 10 inches by about 
1 or 13 inches in breadth. The capsule is then raised to the surface of the 
ground by the lengthening of the peduncle, soon after which the leaves 
wither away. 
In moist meadows, and pastures, over the greater part of Europe, but 
rare in the north, and scarcely extends into Asia. Very abundant in some 
parts of England, rare in Ireland, and naturalized only in Scotland. Fi. 
autumn. 
LXXXVI. JUNCACEA. THE RUSH FAMILY. 
Herbs, usually stiff, with cylindrical or narrow and erass- 
like leaves, and small, herbaceous or dry flowers, in terminal or 
apparently lateral clusters or panicles. Perianth regular, dry, 
and calyx-like, of 6 segments. Stamens 6 or rarely 3 only, the 
anthers opening inwards. Styles single, with 3. stigmas. 
Capsule 1- or 3-celled, opening in 3 valves, with few or many 
small seeds. 
A small family, abundantly spread over the whole surface of the globe, 
with almost all the technical characters of the Lily family except the con- 
sistence of the perianth, whilst the general aspect brings it nearer to the 
Sedges and the Grasses. 
Capsule 3-celled, with many seeds. Leaves cylindrical, at least at 
their tips, or very rarely flat . : 5 ‘ . : ; : - 1. Juncus. 
Capsule 1-celled, with 3 seeds. Leaves flat and grass-like . : . 2. Luzuna. 
1. JUNCUS. RUSH. : 
Leaves stiff and glabrous, cylindrical, at least at the tips, or grooved, 
Hh 2 
