320 - ^ DSSCRIPTION OF 



bulbs, spring the proper fibrous roots, which penetrate deep into the soil; 

 and in some of the genera , many of tliera end in oblong pendulous 

 tubers. 



The leaves, In most of the genera, are bifarious, (pointing two ways,) 

 their shape is very generally lanceolar,<;*) or lanceolate/^) with entire 

 margins, and fine subulate, or filiform points. The leafstalks, or petioles, 

 are invariably sheathing, or invest whatever is witiiin them in form of 

 sheaths, or tubes. From a single strong nerve, or rib, numerous, simple, 

 delicate veins take their rise, and run to the margin, forming with the 

 nerve, an angle of about thirty degrees. 



The inflorescence is pretty constantly the same in each genus, but differs 

 widely in the different genera. 



All Scitaminean flowers consist of a superior calyx, an irregular, one- 

 petalled corolla wdth double border. ^^) A single Jilament, inserted on some 

 part of the corolla, generally on the mouth of the tube, opposite to the lip * 

 supporting a ^f;z^/^, or double anther, which is naked, or variously appen- 

 daged. A germ, for the most part three-celled ,W which, in those genera 

 with a double anther, a?nd whose style remains free down to its insertion 

 on the germ, is invariably crowned wnth two, small, glandular bodies, 

 (nectaria of Kcenig, and Retzius ;) one on each side of the base of the 



(1) Tapering equally at each erid= 



(2) Broadest at, or near the base, and from thence tapering to the apex. 



(3) The exterior border is uniformly divided into three segments, -which cannot fomi any 

 good part of the essential character ; but I am inclined to think the interior divisions may be 

 advantageously employed therein; and it is by employing this part that I diiFer most from 

 RoscoE,^ whose elegant, concise method I admire much. 



W The only exception^ known to me at present, is Globba, there the germ is one-celled, 

 with (he seeds attached to three parietal receptacles. 



