348 
or arranged upon tall leafy stems in large panicles, or disposed in spikes or racemes upon a 
naked scape. 
Affinities. Brown, who restored this tribe, considers its station to be 
between Asphodelese and Juncacese, from both which it is known by its tri- 
partible fruit, and anthers turned outwards. The genera differ very much in 
habit, which renders it doubtful whether some further change in the order will 
not be necessary. Their properties are more uniform than their appearance. 
The little section Paridese, usually referred to Asphodelese or Smilacese, seems 
upon the whole most near this order, on account of the apocarpous pistil ; 
the anthers, however, are not turned towards the perianth. 
Geography. Frequent at the Cape of Good Hope, not uncommon in 
Europe, Asia, and North America, and existing in the tropics of India and 
New Holland, this order appears to be confined within no geographical limits ; 
it is, however, far more abundant in northern countries than elsewhere. 
Properties. Poisonous in every species, but more especially in the 
Colchicum and Veratrum. The cormus of the former is a well-known acrid 
cathartic, narcotic, and diuretic ; the latter is a nauseous dangerous emetic. 
The medicinal properties of the root of Veratrum are, owing to a peculiar 
alkaline principle, called Veratrin, which acts with singular energy on the 
membrane of the nose, exciting violent sneezings, though taken in very minute 
quantity. When taken internally in very small doses, it produces excessive 
irritation of the mucous coat of the stomach and intestines ; and a few grains 
are found fatal to the lower animals. Turner, 652. Veratrum viride of 
North America is an acrid, emetic, and powerful stimulant, followed by 
sedative effects. Bigelow, 2. 125. Veratrin is found in the root of the 
Colchicum. Turner, 652. The root of Helonias dibica in infusion is 
anthelmintic, but its tincture is bitter and tonic. DC. The root of Medeola 
virginica is stated to be diuretic, and to have some reputation as a hydragogue. 
Barton, 2. 147. The roots of Trillium are generally violently emetic, and 
their mawkish, rather nauseous, berries are at least suspicious. DC. 
GENERA. 
Colchicum, L. 
Hermodactylum.R.Br. 
Merendera, Ram. 
Monocaryum, R. Br. 
Bulbocodium, L. 
Basometra, Salisb. 
Kolbea, Schl. 
Jania, Schult. f. 
Melanthium, L. 
Erythrostictus, 
Schlectend. 
Androcymbium,Willd. 
Cymation, Spreng. 
Lichtensteinia, WiWd. 
Burchardia, R. Br. 
Anguillaria, R. Br. 
Schelhammera, R. Br. 
Ornithoglossum, 
Salisb. 
Wurmbea, Thunb. 
Zigadenus, Mich. 
Xerophyllum, Mich. 
Helonias, L. 
Veratrum, L. 
Nolina, Mich. 
Tofieldia, Huds. 
Heritiera, Schrank. 
Hebelia, Gmel. 
Pleea, Mich. 
Drapiezia, Bl. 
Compsoa, Don. 
Compsanthus, Spr. 
Disporum, Salisb. 
Tricyrtis, Wall. 
? Campynema, R. Br. 
§ Paridese, Link. 
Myrsiphyllum, W, 
Medeola, L. 
Trillium, L. 
Paris, L. 
Order CCXLIX. GILLIESIACEJE. 
Gilliesiea;, Lindl. in Bot. Reg. 992. (1826) ; Hooker in Bot. Mag. 2716. (1827). 
Essential Character. — Flowers hermaphrodite, surrounded by bracteae, the outer of 
which are petaloid and herbaceous, the inner depauperated and coloured. Perianth minute, 
either a single labelloid lobe, or an urceolate 6-toothed body. Stamens 6, either all fer- 
tile, or 3 sterile and nearly obliterated. Ovary superior, 3-celled ; style 1 ; stigma simple. 
Capsule 3-celled, 3-valved, with a loculicidal dehiscence, many- seeded. Seeds attached to 
the axis, by means of a broad hollow neck ; testa black and brittle ; embryo curved in the 
