82 NAT. ORDER. — RHCEDES. 



vatccl in this country. It may be distinguished from the P. dubium, 

 to wliich it bears a general resemblance, by its urn-shaped capsules, 

 and by the hairs upon the peduncles standing in a horizontal direc- 

 tion. 



Propagation and Culture. All the species of this plant are quite 

 showy, and have flowers, varying greatly in size and of various hues. 

 The pereimial species may be increased by dividing the plants at 

 the roots, but the common and best way is by seeds. The an- 

 nual kinds may be sown in the open border, about the middle or end 

 of March, where they are intended to remain, as they do not bear 

 transplanting. They all thrive best in a light rich soil. The Papa- 

 ver nudicmdc and varieties, microcarjnim, ruhro-aurantiacum, pijrc- 

 naicum and varieties, and Papavcr (dpiiium, are beautiful little plants, 

 and should be kept as alpines, in pots ; or otherwise are very apt to 

 damp off in the winter, especially in most parts of England, and in 

 this country, where their culture has been attempted. 



Medical Properties and Uses. The capsules of this species, like 

 those of the Somnifci-um, contain a milky juice of a narcotic quality, 

 and an extract has been prepared from them having the properties 

 of opium ; but the quantity is too small to repay the trouble of its 

 preparation. The petals are the officinal portion ; they have a nar- 

 cotic smell, and a mucilaginous, slightly bitter taste. By drying they 

 lose their odor, and assume a violet-red color. The flowers have a 

 smell similar to that of opium. A sirup made of them has been re- 

 commended as being useful as an anodyne and pectoral, and is there- 

 fore prescribed in coughs and catarrhal affections ; but from all that 

 we can gather, from an extensive catalogue of botanical works, and 

 our own limited experience, as regards the medicinal properties of 

 this plant, it seems that it is more highly valued for the beauty of its 

 colors than for its virtues as a medicine. 



