the beard extending a little way up the leaflet; inner leaflets
obovate, tapering to a long sharp point, densely bearded
with purple hairs, particularly in the nectariferous pit,
the upper part naked, and notched a little at the margin.
Stamens 6; filaments flattish, smooth, yellow, inserted in
the base of the perianthium below the leaflets : anthers oblong,
attached to the filaments at their base : pollen yellow.
Ovarium superior, oblong, bluntly 3-sided, 3-furrowed,
many-seeded. Stigmas 3, nearly sessile, spreading, slightly
furrowed on the upper side, the points reflexed.
The present genus is certainly very different from F r i t
i l l a r i a and Im p e r i a l i s ; from the former it differs in its
nectariferous pit being circular and bearded, and from the
latter, from its situation, which is nearly half way up the leaflet
of the perianthium, instead of being near the base, the
habit is also entirely different ; it is much nearer related to
C a l o c h o r t u s , particularly to C. elegans of Fursh ; but
the species of that genus have no nectariferous pit on the
leaflets of the perianthium : we have not seen any ripe capsule,
or seeds, which would have been desirable ; the Fritillariapurpurea
of Kunth is doubtless another species of
the same genus.
Our drawing was made from bulbs in flower, at the Nursery
of Mr. J . C. Tate, of Sloane Street, in July last; the
bulbs were given him by Mr. Feene, who received them
from Mexico ; amongst them were bulbs of another species,
that has not yet flowered, and is probably the purpurea ;
like the other Mexican bulbs, it will succeed well in a warm
border, planted from 4 to 6 inches deep in a light sandy
soil ; or if grown in pots, an equal mixture oflight turfy loam,
peat, and sand, is the most proper soil for it, and it may be
protected in frames through the Winter.
The generic name is derived from KUKXa, a circle, and
(BoOpog, a well or pit, from the circular pit in each leaflet of
the flower.
1. One o f the inner leaflets o f the Perianthium, showing the nectariferous
pit, and its bearded surface. 2. One o f the outer leaflets. 3. The 6 Stamens
inserted in the base o f the Perianthium. 4. Ovarium, terminated by the 3 Stigmas,
that are slightly furrowed on the upper side.