l66 POISONOUS PLANTS 



The structure of the spadix with its flowers will 

 be understood from the accompanying figures. 

 Beginning at the base will be seen a number of 

 pistils, each consisting of a round ovary, with 

 only a truncated stigma upon it ; a figure of this 

 is seen in the middle of the woodcut. Above 

 the pistils, each of which is regarded by botanists 

 as a separate flower, is a ring of stamens, each 

 consisting of a purplish' anther with four cells 

 (see figure on the extreme right). Above the 

 anthers is a sort of fringe, corresponding to 

 the place where the spathe contracts. The stem 

 of the spadix is then prolonged into the purple 

 club-like extremity, acting as a store-house of 

 nutriment for the seeds to absorb in ripening. 

 When this takes place, the spathe withers and falls 

 off; the top of the spadix having surrendered 

 its nourishment goes too, while only the basal part 

 with the, now, scarlet berries remains (see figure at 

 the top, left). A berry is hollow and has two or 

 three wrinkled seeds at the bottom (see the one 

 cut vertically to show the seeds within it). 



All parts of the plant, tuber (see figure), leaves, 

 and fruit, are poisonous. They contain a juice 

 which loses its deleterious properties when dried. 



Children have been frequently attracted by the 

 brightly coloured berries, notwithstanding their 

 unpleasant smell. 



As the leaves when bruised give out a disagree- 



