JUNE TO OCTOBER. 



147 



I can think of is the semi-double white poppy belong- 

 ing to tlie Ranunculus division ; this is as fair as the 

 daintiest wild rose. 



The character of the foliage in the two divisions, 

 Rannnciilns and Paeony (carnation is the same with 



the p^ony), is entirely dif- 

 ferent. The leaves of the 

 former variety are grass- 

 green and round-edged ; 

 the leaves of the latter 

 clasp the stem, are a light 

 cabbage-green, smooth, with sharp- 

 pointed edges, and have an extremely 

 decorative form, not unlike the fa- 

 mous acanthus leaf which furnished 

 inspiration to the Greek artists in the 

 designing of the most beautiful capital 

 for a column the world has ever seen. 



Tlie opium poppy, which is culti- 

 vated in India and Persia, has white 

 petals and white seeds ; I consider the 

 single flower, called Flag of Truce, 

 typical of this variety. The opium 

 poppy cultivated in Asia Minor has purplish flowers 

 and black seeds. 



The charming California poppy receives its name 

 from a German naturalist by the name of Esch- 



Flag of Truce 

 Poppy. 



