are often semi-reflexed, of a broad oval form, and much
imbricated; of a rich yellow colour, often shorter than their
tube. The crown is ample (amongst its nearest affinities)
and saucer-shaped, that being much more spreading
upwards than in Soldi D'or; somewhat plaited and crenulate
at the mouth, and nearly three times shorter than
the segments, and of a bright orange colour. Three of the
orange anthers are included within the tube, and three are
more or less completely excluded beyond it. Stigma en-
closéd with 3 short lobes.
The Hermione aperticorona, being so nearly related to
H. cupularis, as above shown, is probably a native, like that
plant, of the northern coast of Africa, or of the Levant.
The greater part of this genus requires some slight protection
in Winter, or the tops of their leaves will be killed by
the frost, which greatly weakens their roots, often destroys
their flower buds in early infancy, and sometimes paralyzes,
or even kills the plant. They thrive best in a rich loamy
manured soil of 2 feet deep, and in a warm situation. The
crowns of their bulbs should be covered to the depth of
2, 3, or 4 inches, according to their size ; and transplanting
them, when quiescent in July, or August, once every two or
three years, carefully removing every offset from the flowering
bulbs. If it should happen to be convenient, they may
be kept out of the ground in any dry situation, like Tulips,
but not exposed to much light, until the middle or
end of November, but not longer with impunity, and be
then planted at least six inches from each other, if of the
flowering size : but all offsets, at less distances, according
to their respective sizes, and soon after they are taken up ;
for if kept out of the ground they shrivel, and dry in their
outer coats, and become invariably weakened and deteriorated.
A. H, H.
AT
Y'y
' I . S'.-l
1. The Corolla laid open, to shew the insertion of the Stamina. 2. Pistil. II
-Sm