bent downwards, their points ascending, here and there
bearing a few scattered s lort hairs. Perianthium G-parted
nearly to the base, spreading when the flower is expanded,
segments lanceolate, acute, the three outer ones rather
broadest, white inside, the back green, edged with a broad
band of white. Stamens 6, inserted in the receptacle: Jilaments
dilated at the base, scarcely above one third the
length of the perianthium, attached to the back of the anthers.
Ovarium acutely 6-angular, smooth. Style smooth,
scarcely so long as the stamens. Stigma slightly three-lobed.
An elegant species, native of Tauria, in groves and on
the edgp of woods. It is nearly allied to O. umbellatum;
but it is distinguished from that species by the fringed
leaves. The plant from which our figure was taken flowered
in the Nursery of Messrs. Whitley, Brames, and Milne, at
Fulham; and where it continued to flower nearly all the
Summer. The plant is hardy, and thrives best in a light
soil. It is propagated by offsets from the old bulbs.
The generic name is derived from opvSog, a bird, and
T-oXa, milk; probably from the white flowers of most of the
species; but no good explanation has been given of the
name.
1. Stamens. 2 , S ty le aiitl Stigma.