THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 155 



flower." The last name is inexplicable unless it refers to 

 the poor soil in which the plant [^rows. Here we may also 

 record that Siibularia aqiiatica is called "awlwort," on account 

 of its slender leaves, and Lcsqucrclla spat/iulata is known as 

 "bladder-pod" from its round inflated capsules. 



A little plant not unlike draba, is the shepherd's purse" 

 {Caspclla biirsa-pastaris) whose common name is a direct 

 translation of the technical one. The heart-shaped seed-ves- 

 sels su^ti^e^t the icL'a of a purse or bag which appears in sev- 

 eral of its other common names such as "shepherd's bag," 

 "shepherd's pouch," "lady's-purse," "witches' pouches," "case- 

 weed," and "mother's heart." Related terms are "pick-purse" 

 and "pickpocket." "Shovel-weed" also alludes to the shape 

 of the pods while "pepper-plant" "pepper-weed" and "hen 

 pepper" are due to confusion of this plant with species of 

 Lcpidiiun. The names of "toothwort," "toy-w^ort," and "St. 

 James' wort" seem to be without significance in the present 

 instance. 



Though the shepherd's purse may, on occasion, bear the 

 name of "toothwort," the name seems properly to belong to 

 the species of Dentaria. TJic name is derived from the pro- 

 jections on the rootstock of some species. Dentaria diphylla 

 is probably best entitled to the name, but "crinkle root," in 

 allusion to the crinkly rootstock, is the one commonly used. 

 Among the inattentive this becomes "trinkle root." "Pepper 

 root" alludes to its pungent properties. It is well known to 

 children who dig up the crisp, white underground parts and 

 eat them. Dentaria lacinata besides being known as "tooth- 

 wort" and "pepper- root," is also called "crowfoot" and "crow- 

 toes." It is probable that the last two names refer to the small 

 white tubers clustered at the base of the main stem. 



An interesting crucifer occasionally found in old gardens 



