148 



HA RD WICKE' S SCIENCE- G OS SI P. 



one to adopt the opinion that here is a state of 

 transition ; and it requires little effort of the imagi- 

 nation to fill in the outline of what was, or may 

 become, the perfect leaf; however, to do this satis- 

 factorily, it would be advisable, in view of the fore- 

 going observations, to take a stem of recent growth. I 

 give alternative hypotheses, as there may be difficulty 

 in obtaining distinct proof of either. But, which- 

 ever is correct, the arrangement is manifestly more 



Fig- 75- — Five-leaved stem of Chelidonium majus. 



advantageous to the plant than 

 the full-sized leaf would be. For 

 the plant is low, the foliage is • 

 abundant and close, and being 

 divided up in the way described, 

 there is a better chance of light 

 and air getting to every part. 

 I can, therefore, quite understand 

 that modification set in from the 

 perfect leaf, by such portions of 

 it as- did not catch sufficient of 

 the actinic rays gradually dwind- 

 ling away, during successive 

 generations. Or, if the alterna- 

 tive hypothesis be taken, the inability to get density 

 of large leaves with sufficient light might account for 

 the leaf stopping short in its growth. Still, I do not 

 look with favour upon this alternative, because I 

 cannot find any evidence in support of it ; on the 

 contrary, all the evidence seems to point the other 

 way, for instance, the midrib and the peculiar 

 venation. I can conceive that, at one time, the 

 plant was of more pretentious dimensions than it 

 is now, and then, from climatic and other influences 

 becoming dwarfed, the large leaves thereupon fitted 

 themselves to altered circumstances ; but I cannot 

 understand the roundabout way of evolving a large 

 leaf by the ultimate junction of several small leaves, 



Fig. 76. — Youthful 

 stem-leaf of Che- 

 lidonium majus, 

 half natural size. 



at any rate in this instance, when the readiest way 

 would be for each individual to increase in size. 

 Nature invariably adopts the simplest and easiest 

 methods of gaining its ends ; it is, consequently, 

 more than probable that our specimen is simply a 

 modified large leaf, and not a series of small leaves 

 in process of combination. 



Near where the leaves as depicted in Fig. 76 begin, 

 the flower stem usually rises, and this may account 

 for the arrest in growth of the lower small leaves. 

 The flower stem is a stalk which carries two or more 

 stalks, the true peduncles upon it ; on each peduncle 

 is a flower. 



As to the flower itself, there are two sepals which 

 fall off early after the opening ; there are four small 

 yellow petals ; the pistil is well-developed as a 

 tangible seed-pod, with whitish stigma ; the stamens 

 are numerous, each anther consisting of two 

 coherent pollen bags lightly poised from the centre 

 by a fine thread on the filament. Being so poised, 

 they are moveable as on a pivot, see-saw fashion, 

 longitudinally as well as laterally. I can appreciate 

 the arrangement, as by means of such mechanism the 

 anthers are readily moved, so as to be in the proper 

 position to press effectively against any insect, from 

 whatever quarter it may come. This can the better 

 be understood, when it is remembered that the 

 petals stand well open, and insects are not compelled, 

 as they are in many flowers, to approach by a certain 

 way in which they most rub off pollen, as, for example, 

 through a tube. If it were not for the device in 

 question, I can readily believe they might settle in 

 the centre of a flower, over and over again, and yet 

 never take the first step in fertilisation. 



As to the medicinal attributes of the plant, I offer 

 no opinion. It may, however, interest some readers 

 to learn that those annoying excrescences, called 

 warts, are said to be cured by being rubbed with the 

 brownish-yellow juice that exudes from a broken 

 stem. I have never tried the experiment, but can 

 suggest it as one not likely to do any harm, if it 

 does no good. I have also heard that an infusion of 

 the leaves is a famous specific for jaundice and other 

 disorders of the liver, but here, too, I cannot speak 

 from personal experience. I dare say if the plant has 

 any virtue as a medicine for internal application, it is 

 principally due to thepresence of potash in appreciable 

 quantity, as evidenced by the abundance of green 

 colouring matters in leaves and stems. But, fortu- 

 nately, if potash is required, we have a very wide 

 range of plants to select from, without having recourse 

 to celandine. 



In Switzerland it appears that the edelweiss and 

 the Alpine rose are in danger of becoming extinct. 

 In a few years we shall be saying the same of our own 

 delightful primrose, if the latter is to be pulled up in 

 tons, as we lately saw was the case. 



