CorvLepon, D.C. bull. philom. 1801, n. 49, p. 1. Cotyledones capeiises, 
Linn., Burm., Haw. Calyx 5-partitus, tubo corolla multo brevior. 
Corolla gamopetala, tubo ovato cylindraceo, limbo 5-lobo patenti- 
reflexo aut revoluto, lobis obtusis. Stamina 10, imo tubo adnata, 
ceterum libera, exserta aut subinclusa. Squamee ovales. Carpella 5, 
in stylos subulatos producta. Frutices carnosi capenses. Folia 
seepius sparsa. Flores laxe paniculati, purpurascentes vel auran- 
tiaci. 
Unpstticus, D.C. in bull. philom. 1801, n. 49. Cotyledonis, spec., Auct. 
Calyx 5-partitus. Corolla gamopetala, campanulata, 5-fida, lobis 
ovatis acutis erectis tubi circiter longitudine. Stamina 10, corollz 
inserta. Squamz 5, obtuse. Carpella 5, apice attenuata, stylis 
subulatis. Herbe Europe Australis aut Orientis indigens. Folia 
rosulata aut alterna, integerrima aut subdentata. Flores albidi aut 
flavi, racemosi nec cymosi. 
Kicurverta, D.C. MSS. Cotyledones americana, Auct. Calyx 5-par- 
titus, sepalis folia referentibus, erectis, ima basi subconeretis. 
Petala 5 inferne coalita erecta crassa rigidula ad nervam medium 
crassiora et fere basi trigona acuta. Stamina 10, petalis brevioria, 
basi cum petalis concreta. Squame 5, breves, obtuse. Carpella 5, 
in stylos subulatos abeuntia. rutices carnosi Mexicani. Yolia 
alterna caulina aut rosulata subopposita integerrima enervia. I*lores 
secus rachin aut secus cyme ramos sessiles, coccinei aut flavi.— 
D.C. Prodr. vol. iii. p. 461. 
The principal distinction relied upon is the shape of the 
corolla and the depth to which it is divided, and the proportion 
which the calyx bears to it. DeCandolle knew only four 
American species, and we are now acquainted with upwards of 
thirty. The pentagonal character of the corolla to which he 
alludes may be well seen in our plate of C. gibbiflora, Tab. 65, 
but not above half the species now known show this clearly. As 
may be seen from our figures also (compare those of C. aloides 
and gibbifiora), the calyx varies from a sixth as long as the 
corolla to quite as long, and the lobes are very variable in shape. 
It might be possible to separate the American from the Cape 
species by the one sole character of the fission of the corolla. In 
the Cape plants it is never divided more than half-way down and 
generally not more than a third or a quarter, and in the 
American ones it is always cleft nearly down to the base, but 
when the European and Asiatic species have to be considered 
they completely break down the line of demarcation, and render 
it quite impossible to give any general character which will 
