IIUDACE.E. 



45 



In England they have been known to be sixty years old be- 

 fore this happens, and probably it is for want of warmth 

 and nourishment that they are so long before they arrive at 

 their maturity : to hasten this period, it is now recom- 

 mended to give them a light sandy loam, with a third of 

 lime-rubbish, to repot them frequently, to expose them to 

 the outer air in summer, and only to give water when dry. 



JRIDACEJE. 



Endogens, with flowers having calyx and corolla either separate 

 or adhering, sometimes irregular, the three petals occasionally 

 very short. Stamens three, the anthers turned outwards. Ovary 

 three-celled. Leaves embracing each other, and on two sides of 

 the stem only. — Natives of Europe, America, and the Cape, 

 Elowers beautiful ; properties medicinal. 



AEISTEA. 



Gen. Char. (Triandria Monogynia^) Elower superior, six-parted, 

 regular; after flowering twisting spirally, and not falling oiF; 

 capsule three-celled, many-seeded. 



Named from arista, a point or beard, the leaves being 

 bearded. Cape plants adapted to the greenhouse. A. cya- 

 nea, the woolly-headed, pusilla, flat-stemmed, and capitata, 



