GAMOPETAL.K-JT 



nr) 



the ap2>t;aranee of the jDetahs; these are wlieehsliaped, 

 with the lobes turned back (.see fig. 78). Tliere is one 

 AvilJ Rr)ecies (<7. hederif 



\Ahicli is 



oTOwnig m 



Sussex and Kent, which has pink flowers and spotted 

 lieart-shaped leaves. In the gardens there are several 

 different species and varieties, all of which possess the 

 peculiar reflexed corolla characteristic of the genus. 

 Henslow states that the tubers of the Cyclamen Pevsicmu 

 tlie different varieties of which are cultivated in our 

 country in gardens — are eaten by swine. Be that as 

 it may, these tubers contain an active 

 principle called cyclamin, wliicl 

 being acted on by acids gives cychi- 

 miretin, an extremely poisonous sub- 

 stance. Sometimes the tubers have 

 been used medicinallv — presumably 



1 on 



and 



Fig. vs.— Flower of 

 CycTanien 



mven 



to 



by unqualified practitioners — 

 have produced violent results, acting 

 both as a purgative and as an emetic. 

 The juice, extracted from the tubers, 

 kills 'small fish wlien mixed in the water in the propor- 

 tion of onlj^ 1 in 3000. 



Scarlet PmrERXEL or Poor Max's Weather-glass 



{Anafjallls arvensi8).-~'niis is a pretty little prostrate 

 plant with scarlet flowers, often found in cultivated 

 ground. The seeds have on occasion heon 

 cage-birds, in mistake for seeds of cliickweed, with fatal 



results. 



Gentianacese.— There are no specially distinctive fea- 

 tures common to the members of this family by wlach 

 the Natural Order can be recognized. The followmg 

 features are common to most of the members of the 

 wroup : — 



1. The leaves are stalkless and opposite. 



2. Tlie calyx and corolhi are 4-10-lobed. 



