BRITISH WILD FLOWERS 
295 
in open elevated situations, where it flowers in May. It is easily distinguished from the Daffodil by its flower, 
which is white, except the yellow corona, which has a deep reddish border; and by two flowers frequently 
growing from the same stem. It has also a delicate fragrance, in which the other British species are deficient. 
2. —PRIMROSE PEERLESS. (Narcissus biflorus, Curt.) 
Synonymes. —N. poelicus, Huds.; Pale Narcissus. I Specific Character. —Flowers in pairs. Crown very short, 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 276 ; 2nd ed., t. 470 ; and out fig. 3, | depressed; membranous, and crenate at the margin ; leaves acutely 
in PI. 58. I heeled, their edges indexed. 
Description, &c.— The shape of the flowers of this species resembles that of the Poet’s Narcissus, but the 
colour is a pale primrose, except the corona, which is yellow, with a white edge; and two flowers are almost 
always produced in the same spathe. The scent of these flowers is strong, and not only unpleasant, but actually 
dangerous, in a close room, as persons have been known to be affected by stupor and violent pains and giddiness 
in the head from inhaling it. It is found in similar situations to the preceding species, but it flowers a little 
earlier. 
3. —THE DAFFODIL. (Narcissus Pseudo-Narcissus, Lin.) 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., t. 17 ; 2nd ed., t. 468 ; and our fig. 4, crisped, with six marginal segments ; its length equal to that of the 
in PI. 58. ovate petals. 
Specific Character. —Flowers solitary. Crown hell-shaped, erect, 
Description, &c. —Few plants are better known than the common Daffodil, which grows abundantly in 
moist meadows and shady thickets. Occasionally it is found in open dry situations, but these occasions are 
comparatively rare. The Daffodil is the earliest of all the British Narcissi, as it produces its flowers in March. 
CHAPTER LXXVII. 
THE LILY FAMILY. (Liliace.®, Juss.) 
upon another, in one or two rows, with a spongy, dilated, often winged 
integument. Embryo with the same direction as the seed, in the axis 
of fleshy albumen. 
Character of the Order. —Perianthium inferior, in six pieces, 
coloured, regular ; occasionally with a tube. Stamens six, inserted 
into the pieces of the perianthium. Ovary superior, three-celled, 
many-seeded, with a loculicidal dehiscence. Seeds flat, packed one 
Description, &c. —The Lilies have all scaly bulbs ; leaves with parallel veins, ’either lanceolate or cordate, 
and large flowers, which have generally bright colours. None of the true lilies are natives of Great Britain, 
and the only British genera contain but two plants ; viz., the Fritillary and the wild Tulip. 
GENUS I. 
THE FRITILLARY. (Fritillaria, Lin.) 
Lin. Sgst. HEXANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 
Generic Character. —Perianthium campanulate, of six pieces, with an oval honey pore at their base. Stigmas, three. Seeds flat. ( Lindley.) 
Description, &c. —Only one species of the genus is a native of Great Britain. The name of Fritillaria is 
derived from Fritillus , a chess-board, in allusion to the chequered petals of the flowers. 
