474 Account and Description of Spring Crocuses, 8fC. 



swollen, and rises above the tube ; the flower is obovate, 

 of moderate size, but has a very rich appearance ; the tube 

 is very dark purple at top, ending downwards in dark 

 lines, and upwards in very dark spots on the petals ; the 

 petals are broad, obovate, concave, the outer generally 

 notched at their tops, dark purple on the outside, marked 

 within at the base with white featherings ; the inner petals at 

 the back are purple with dark spots on their lower part, 

 and are very beautifully marked within with white, and pur- 

 ple feathered lines, on lilac ground. The stigmas are large, 

 orange, a little shorter than the anthers. 



2. C. vermis purpureus. Is in flower rather early in the 

 middle season, producing a tolerable quantity of blossoms. 

 The leaves are broad and short. The spathe is much inflated 

 and conspicuous ; the flower stands high, is large, obovate 

 and grand ; the tube is thick, coloured from some length at 

 the top with purple ; the petals are large, obovate, generally 

 crumpled, concave ; the whole on both sides a uniform dark 

 purple, the spots at the base being slightly distinguishable ; 

 the outer petals frequently appear blotched, as if damaged by 

 the weather. The stigmas are large, pale orange, of the same 

 height as the anthers. 



3. C. vernus marginatum. Produces its blossoms not very 

 abundantly and after the middle season. The leaves are short 

 and broad. The spathe is swollen and rises above the tube ; 

 the flowers are large and obovate ; the tube is thick, dark 

 purple at the top ; the outer petals are dark purple, with a 

 large obscure spot, blotched a little with white, and edged 

 with white, within rather paler; the inner petals are feathered 

 with purple, and have their edges marked with white, within 

 they are very beautifully and distinctly feathered with purple 



