THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 99 



bers of the group may be eight feet high, as is the case in one 

 species belonging to our own fern flora — Acrostichnm loinar- 

 ioidcs. The Acrostichuins are essentially a tropical group but 

 in their region are abundant both as to individuals and species. 

 Only two species reach the United States — in Southern Florida 

 — but are not uncommon. The species we liave chosen for il- 

 lustration is a form of the widely distributed Acrostichnm coii- 

 fonnc which is found in nearly every part of the world where 

 Acrostichiims occur. The varied forms are often regarded as 

 distinct species, and the one here illustrated is usually called 

 Acrostichum alatiiiii. 



ENCHANTER'S NIGHTSHADE. 



BY MISS EMMA E. LAUGHLIN. 



SOME plants attract by means of their showy blossoms, 

 some by their fragrance, and others by some unusual 

 form ; but there are plants which, like some people, can be ap- 

 preciated only when well known. They are like Wordsworth's 



"Violet by a mossy stone. 

 Half hidden from the eye," 



and do not become interesting until the observer stops, notices 

 closely what might otherwise be lightly passed by, and so 

 learns intimately the life story of a charming personality — a 

 new plant. 



Among these unassuming plants is Circoca Lutctiana or 

 enchanter's nightshade. It is a rather common plant of moist 

 woods and may be found blooming from June to September. 

 It was supposed to have been used by Circe in her enchant- 

 ments so Linnaeus named it Circaea, and added Lutctiana 

 from Lutetia, the name of an ancient Gallic city which was 

 located on the present site of the city of Paris. 



Circaea is a member of the Evening Primrose Family. 

 When it first appears in the early spring as a cluster of fresh, 



