CLAYTONIA VIRGINICA. SPRING-BIiAUTV. I 59 



specimen from which our drawing was made in the early part 

 of May in a wood, where it grew in company with anemones, 

 ranunculus, and other early plants. 



The Spring-Beauty has not as yet succeeded in attracting the 

 attention of philosophers, physicians, or economists. Its next 

 of kin, however, the Common Purslane, is sometimes boiled and 

 eaten ; and it is said that the leaves of our plant can be served 

 in the same way. The roots of the tuberous-rooted Siberian 

 species are used as food ; and perhaps those of our Spring- 

 Beauty may be available for the same purpose. It might be 

 worth while to select some of the larger roots, and try to 

 improve them in size. In like manner the florist might improve 

 the race in color by selection. The most common variety has 

 purely white petals, but rosy shades are also abundant. Says 

 Bryant, in allusion to the delicate color of our flower, — 



" And the Spring Beauty boasts no tenderer streak 

 Than the soft red on many a youthful cheek." 



So deep a rose as that shown in our plate is not, however, 

 often met with, and we selected this specimen more especially 

 for the purpose of showing how much nature has already done, 

 and as an encouragement for art to do more. Our plant also 

 varies in other respects, according to the latitude in which it 

 grows. Nuttall notices that the leaves become more spathulatc 

 on the right bank of the Ohio; and Don remarks that they 

 become shorter and broader as we approach Alaska. When 

 variations are found in nature, florists may always look upon 

 them as hints to take up improvements where nature leaves off. 

 The Alaskan form noticed by Don may, however, belong to a 

 closely allied species, for the botanists have not as yet deter- 

 mined the exact geographical range of our own. 



The flowers of Claytoiiia Virginica all turn in one direction 

 on the flower-stalk, or, as botanists say, they are secund. They 

 expand early in the morning, but close at night. If the flowers 



