.< 



358 FLOWERS OF FIELD, HILL, AND SWAMP 



stem. The flowers are large and showy, 2 inches across, borne 

 at the summit of the stem. 



9. Dutchman's-breeches 



Dicentra Cucullaria {2-sp\ixxed).— Family, Fumitory. Color, 

 white, tipped with pale yellow. Leaves, on slender petioles, 

 from the rootstocks, thrice-compound and variously cut, the 

 divisions long and narrow. Time, April. 



Sepals, 2, small, scale-like. Petals, 4, slightly joined ; the 2 

 outer forming 2 spurs, spreading apart, longer than the small 

 flower-stalk ; the 2 inner crested. Stamens, 6. Pistil, i. 



The plant grows from a scaly bulb, composed of grain -like 

 tubers. 



The odd flowers grow in a raceme on leafless scapes. One of 

 the prettiest of our wood-dwellers. Is it a mere coincidence that 

 so inanv of our early spring flowers are of the fragile, delicate 

 sort, while summer and autumn bring heavier bloom, as if the 

 nature hand were at first hesitating and timid, and later acquired 

 a bolder stroke.'' The wild sunflower, for example, with bur- 

 marigolds and tall asters, can only be associated with fall, while 

 saxifrages, violets, spring-beauties, hepaticas, fumitory, and pale 

 corydalis seem from their very nature to be blown from the 

 breath of spring. 



A cultivated species of this family, Dielytra, is well known from 

 its blood-red, spurred, heart-shaped corolla. One of its common 

 names is bleeding-heart. 



10. Squirrel-corn 



D. Canadensis is found more in northerly woods. Under- 

 ground shoots bear yellow, small tubers, resembling grains of 

 corn. The flowers are white or greenish, tinged with pink, 

 with short spurs and a prominent crest on the two inner 

 petals. A delicate fragrance, as of hyacinths, pervades these 

 dear little flowers. 



