DICOTYLEDONS II3 



in the flowers of different plants, forming the 

 popular distinction of thrum-eyed and pin-eyed. 

 The anthers of the stamens are situated high up 

 in one and low down the corolla-tube in the 

 other kind of flower ; the pistils have the lengths of 

 their styles correspondingly graduated, so that they 

 are adapted for being crossed. 



This arrangement does not exist in all species 

 of primrose, nor is it in all other genera of this 

 family. Under cultivation and certain circum- 

 stances in the wild state, the stamens and style 

 may be of the same length in the same flower, 

 though such be normally dimorphic. 



Pimpernel, or Poor Man's Weather-glass 

 {Anagallis arvensis). — This is too small a plant to be 

 eaten in any quantity by animals ; but experiences 

 abroad have shown that it certainly contains in- 

 jurious properties, which neither drying nor boiling 

 destroys. It is said that some horses were killed at 

 Lyons by means of it. It has also caused cage-birds 

 to die from their having eaten it when given to 

 them in mistake for chickweed. This plant had a 

 reputation for curing hydrophobia, but no such 

 property is really attached to it. It is said that 

 sheep refuse to eat it. An extract made from it is 

 very powerful and poisonous. 



Cyclamen {Cyclamen sp.). — We have one species 

 of this plant which has established itself in woods 

 in Kent and Sussex. The cultivated species is 



H 



