MEMOIRS, &c. 
A Monograph of the Genus Allium. 
By Mr George Don, A. L. S. 
{Read 22d April 1826.) 
TDhE genus Allium can only be studied satisfactorily 
from living specimens ; for, in Herbaria, the species of this 
genus, like other liliaceous plants, are seldom found to re- 
tain their characters, so as to be recognised with certainty. 
It fortunately happens that the number of species in our 
gardens is very considerable. The Botanic Garden at Chel- 
sea contains by far the most extensive collection I have seen, 
Mr Anderson having been fortunate in raising from seed a 
great number of new ones, chiefly derived from Russia. 
Some years have elapsed since I first directed my atten- 
tion to the investigation of this difficult genus of plants, 
the results of which I have now the honour of laying be- 
fore the Wernerian Society. In the prosecution of this 
object I have met with considerable obstacles, arising from 
VOL. VI. A 
