092 
THE AM ARYLLID/E. 
in sandy loam, mixed with about ^qual parts of leaf mould, or peat 
soil, and require the same treatment as Haemanthus. 
5. Crinum, {Kirnon, Greek for lily.) There has existed consi¬ 
derable difference of opinion as to the distinctive characters of the 
two genera Crinum and Amaryllis; Mr. Gowen says, “ there is no 
difference between the true Crinums and those placed under Ama¬ 
ryllis, than a slight variation in the form of the corolla, and in the 
inclination of the filaments. The form of the bulb constitutes no 
essential distinction, as it varies greatly in the acknowledged mem¬ 
bers of the genus, being spherical, or conical, or cylindrical, or of 
mixed form; these forms graduate into each other, and in some spe¬ 
cies the trace of a bulb is hardly to be made out, the leaves, diverg¬ 
ing at once from the root stock. In C. erubescens which never loses 
its leaves, the bulb is scarcely to be traced. In C. asiaticum, the 
poison-bulb, and its allies, it is decidedly columnar, and the foliage 
persistent (not falling off;) these inhabit the deep alluvia of rivers; 
and exposed to inundation during the periodical rains; and are al¬ 
ways sufficiently supplied with moisture, to be kept in a state of 
growth. Crinum scabrum, and all its kindred Amarylloid Crinums, 
have true bulbs, and in our collections cannot be preserved in health 
without a season of absolute rest; their foliage is deciduous, in many, 
sloughing off completely from the bulb. They inhabit dry ground 
in their native regions, and are exposed to long periodical returns of 
great drought, and to the utter loss of their foliage.” From these 
observations, we gather that all those species, the roots of which are 
perfect bulbs, and foliage entirely deciduous, must have no water 
during the time they are dormant, and be watered at all times with 
care; the soil, although rich, should be light by a mixture of leaf- 
mould, peat, and sand, and the pots well drained with potsherds, and 
be placed in a situation near the glass, yet in a very hot part of the 
stove: by this treatment, and keeping them dry when dormant, they 
will flower very freely, particularly if potted every year in fresh 
mould previously to their beginning to grow again. All those spe¬ 
cies where the bulbs grow, with a long thick neck, somewhat resem¬ 
bling a leek, as C. amabile, the finest species of the genus, and C. 
bracteatum which although amongst the smallest, is elegant and very 
fragrant, C. pedunculatum, C. riparia, &c. require a great quantity 
of water during their flowering season, and a moderate portion 
throughout the year, they grow freely in rich mould, with a little 
sand mixed to keep it from binding: these should be planted in 
large pots, and plunged in the bark-bed, or placed upon the flue, and 
if well drained they can scarcely be overwatered, particularly the C. 
