THE HELLEBORE FAMILY. 



153 



and the greater number are poisonous, some being of a very 

 virulent nature. The only native representatives are Colchi- 

 cum autumnale and Tofieldia palustris, the latter a grassy- 

 leaved plant growing in waste places in the north of England 

 and Scotland. 



Colchicum (Colchicum autumnale). This is rarely found 

 wild, although it is common in gardens. It is known as 

 " Meadow Saffron," and "Autumn Crocus." It has a solid, 

 bulbous root (corm), from which crocus-like flowers are pro- 

 duced in the autumn, succeeded by grass-like leaves. It is 

 found throughout the warm parts of Europe, and is highly 

 poisonous, but it is of importance in medicine, more espe- 

 cially for gouty affections. 



White Hellebore (Veratrum album). A perennial plant, 

 native of some parts of Europe, especially Alpine regions. 

 It has broad, elliptical, pointed leaves, with prominent longi- 

 tudinal veins, and a flower-stem rising to the height of 3 — 4 

 feet bearing panicles of greenish-white flowers. The roots are 

 thick and fleshy, of a poisonous nature, and though sometimes 

 used medicinally, are not of much repute in this country. 



Sabadilla (Asagrcea officinalis). A native of Mexico. The 

 poisonous principle veratrine is obtained from it, being used 

 in medicine, and for destroying vermin. 



Fly poison (Amianthium musccetoxicum) . This is a native 

 of N. America. It is injurious to cattle, and is used as a fly 

 poison. 



The genera Methonica or Gloriosa, Littonia, and Sander- 

 sonia, are represented by 6 or more species, natives of west 

 tropical Africa, Natal, and India. They are herbs with 

 slender, flexuose, leafy flower-stems, which rise from round, 

 oblong, or lobed bulbo-corms. With the exception of Sander- 

 sonia the leaves terminate in a tendril by which the stem 

 climbs. The species of Methonica attains the height of 6 or 

 more feet, and produce large showy flowers on axillary 

 peduncles. The perianth lobes are reflexed, and the long 

 style is bent horizontally at a point a little above the ovary. 



Botanists are not agreed as to the relative position of this 



