spider-wort; a genus of the monogynia order, belonging to the hexandra class of plants. Of this genus Linnæus reckons up nine Species. But only the three following seem to deserve notice. 1. The ramofum, with a branching stalk. 2. The lilacino. These are perennial plants, which are natives of Spain, Portugal, and other warm countries. They were formerly pretty common in the English gardens; but the severe winter of 1740 killed most of their roots. They flower in June and July, and the seeds are ripe in September. 3. The frutescens, with a shrubby stalk, was formerly known among the gardeners near London by the name of onion-leaved aloe. It produces many ligneous branches from the root, each supporting a plant with long taper leaves, in shape like those of an onion, and full of a yellow pulp very juicy. These plants send out roots, which run down and fasten themselves into the earth, by which they multiply greatly. The flowers are produced on long loose spikes, are yellow, and appear at different times, so that the plants are never long destitute of flowers. This species is a native of the Cape of Good Hope.

Culture. The two first are propagated by seeds, which should be sown in the autumn, in a warm situation, on a bed of light sandy earth. When the plants come up they must be kept clear of weeds during the summer; and in autumn, when the leaves decay, they should be carefully taken up and transplanted into a bed of light earth, at a foot distance from one another. If the winter prove severe, they should be covered with straw, pease-haulm, or old tan. The third likewise requires shelter in winter; though some of them will live in the open air, if planted close to the warm wall.