HEXANDRIA. TRIGYNIA. Colchicum. 461 
very long, extending down to the roots : Caps . three in¬ 
flated, united. 
C. autumna'le. Leaves flat, broadly spear-shaped, upright: (segments 
of the blossom oblong. E.) 
Stoerck — Fuchs . 356.357— Woodw. 177— E. Bot. 133— Trag. 759— J. B. ii. 
649— Blackw. 566— Kniph. 12— Bod. 460. 2 -— Ger. Em. 157. 1— Ger. Em. 
157. 2— Pet. 67. 2—Tourn. 181. 182 —H. Ox. iv. 3. 1— Ger. 127. 1 and 2. 
Flowers in September, produces its fruit in the following spring, and ripens 
it in summer, Linn. In the spring several spear-shaped leaves arise with 
generally one or two as long as the rest, but only a quarter as wide, 
being a kind of jlower-leaves to the seed-vessel. Capsule large, somewhat 
egg-shaped, with three very blunt angles. Woodw. Blossom tube three- 
cornered ; segments rather unequal. Styles reaching down to the root. 
Blossom lilac-colour, or pale purple. Germen at the root, surrounded by the 
rudiments of the future leaves. It lies buried all winter within the 
root; in spring it arises from the ground, supported on a fruit-stalk, and, 
presenting its capsule to the influence of light and air, ripens about the 
time of hay-harvest. 
May not the very great length of the styles account in some measure for the 
delay in the ripening of the seeds ? As this plant blossoms late in the 
year, and probably would not have time to ripen its seeds before the ac¬ 
cess of winter, which would destroy them. Providence has so contrived 
its structure, that this important office may be performed at a depth in 
the earth, out of reach of the usual effects of frost, as seeds buried thus 
deep are known not to vegetate. A no less admirable provision is made 
to raise them above the surface when perfected, and to sow them at a pro¬ 
per season. (Paley adverts to these peculiar circumstances, as affording a 
striking instance of the compensatory system in the economy of nature, 
vid. Nat. Theol. v. ii. c. 20. E.) 
Meadow Saffron or Tuberoot. (The flowers being quite destitute of 
foliage, this “ leafless orphan of the year,” is by our peasantry named 
Naked Lady. E.) Meadows low as well as mountainous, in rich soil in 
the west and north of England. (Frequent in Worcestershire and Here¬ 
fordshire. About Ditton, an the Clea-hill, Salop. E.) Near Bury. Mr. 
Woodward. Derby. Mr. Whateley. In orchards on the borders of 
Malvern Chase, Worcestershire. Mr. Ballard. Wellington and Hales 
Owen, Shropshire. In the meadow between the church and the medicinal 
spring at Cheltenham in great plenty. (Field opposite Egleston, Dur¬ 
ham. Rev. J. Harriman ; and near Darlington. Mr. Robson, in Bot. Guide. 
Alloa, the seat of Mr. Erskine. Lightfoot. Under a beech-tree between 
Upper Lees wood House and the river near Mold, Flintshire. Mr. Grif¬ 
fith. A little below Newby Bridge, on the left hand side of the road to Ul- 
verstone. Mr. J. Woods, jun. In St. Mary Blandford meadows. Pulteney. 
Meadows about Painswick. Mr. O. Roberts. Meadows about Keyn- 
sham, Whitchurch, Queen’s Charlton, and Pensford, Somersetshire. E.) 
P. Aug.—Sept,* 
* Notwithstanding the poisonous qualities of this plant, Dr. Stoerick, of Vienna, has 
taught us that it is a useful medicine. The roots have much of acrimony. An infusion of 
them in vinegar, formed into a syrup, by the addition of sugar or honey, is found to be a 
very useful pectoral diuretic. It seems in its virtues very much to resemble Squill, but is 
less nauseous and less acrimonious, though more sedative. (Dr. Swediaur recommends it 
