THE POLYPETAL.€ 73 



these seeds in 1000 parts of fodder will kill a fowl. The 



* 



adulteration can be readily detected by observing througli 

 a microscope the structure of the starch grains inside the 

 seed. These grains are peculiar in shape, and quite dif- 

 ferent from the starch grains found in cereals. Accidents 

 to human beings are unknown^ because the poison in 

 Corn Cockle seeds is destroyed during the process of 

 bakino^. 



Lesser Stitchwort (Stellaria grammea). — On the 



Continent there have been numerous complaints of poison- 

 ous effects, from this very common hedge-plant, to horses 

 and cattle. It can be identified by its deeply-ciU white 

 petals and erect, angular, and smooth stalk. 



CHAPTER VI 



rOLY PETALS {Continual) 



leguminosae.— Pea and Bean Family. This is an ex- 

 tremely important family, as from its members are 

 obtained nutritious foods, valuable medicines, and viru- 

 lent poisons. The characteristics of the family are 

 easily recognized. The flowers of Gorse, Broom, and 

 Laburnum obviously belong to the same Natural Order; 

 in fact, the flowers of this order present so marked a 

 difference from practically all other flowers that the^' 

 can be identified without submitting them to a detailed 

 , examination of the various parts. 



The flower has 5 petals, two joined to form a paitially 

 enclosed box called the "keel", two arranged laterally 

 and called ivings, and one large erect petal called the 

 f^tandavd. There are 10 stamens— in some flowers all, 

 in others onlv nine, beinsr arranired" in a circle, their 



