Refugium Botanieum.| | April, 1868. 
TAB. 20. 
Natural Order LiniacEm. 
Tribe ScILLEA. 
Genus ORNITHOGALUM. 
O. vHYRSOIDES (Jacq. Vind. iii. p. 17, t. 28). Foliis lanceolatis scapo 
brevioribus reflexis, racemis multifloris densis ovato-thyrsoideis, 
bracteis ovato-lanceolatis pedicellis brevioribus, perianthii segmentis 
albis late-oblongis subsequalibus patentibus, filamentis alternis in- 
ferne rotundato-dilatatis. — Thunb. Prodr. p. 62; Fl. Cap. 315; 
Ait. Hort. Kew, edit. 2, vol. ii. p. 261. Redoute, Liliac. t. 338 ; 
Bot. Mag. t. 1164; Kunth, Enum. vol. iv. p. 353. 
A native of the Cape of Good Hope. The species is well 
known, but none of the figures which have appeared already give 
an idea of the plant in its full state of development. 
Bulb roundish, about two inches thick, the coat brown-mem- 
branous, truncate upwards. Leaves three or four, contemporaneous 
with the flowers, lanceolate, six to eight inches long, an inch and 
a half to two inches broad, clasping the stem at the base, the 
apex reflexed, texture moderately fleshy, both sides full green 
and naked, the venation not conspicuous. Scape about a foot 
high, a quarter to three-eighths of an inch thick, firm, erect, 
terete, naked. Bracts ovate-lanceolate, pale green, about an inch 
long. lowers in a lax or dense terminal thyrsus, in our speci- 
men about fifty in number, but sometimes as few as a dozen. 
Pedicels an inch and a half to two inches long, the upper ones 
ascending, the lower ones spreading. Perianth pure white, two 
inches broad when fully expanded, the divisions ovate, bluntish, 
subequal. Stamens one opposite each segment, similar, but the 
alternate filaments different, three being slightly dilated below, 
but the other three much more dilated and prolonged into a con- 
spicuous tooth on each side at the apex. Ovary bluntly trigonous, 
the stigma slightly exceeding the stamens.—J. G. B. 
A remarkably fine species of Ornithogalum, from South Africa, 
sent to this country, some years since, by Mr. T. Cooper. It 
flowers freely, cultivated in rich turfy loam, and with a liberal 
supply of water during the season of growth. Cool greenhouse 
treatment seems to suit the plant best, with plenty of light and 
air. When at rest it should be dry and moderately warm.— 
Wows. 
