88 THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 



and the fruit is long and many-seeded or dehiscent, or 

 a two-valved pod. 



The group is allied to the Poppy group, but in the 

 latter the corolla is regular, not irregular as here. 

 The juice is milky also in the Poppy group, whereas 

 in this group it is watery. The petals are swollen at 

 the base in the Fumitories, and in Corydalis one is 

 spurred. 



None of the plants of this group are of economic 

 importance, but they are beautiful plants with a 

 graceful habit, and find a place in the garden. As a 

 type of this order the Common Earth Smoke or Red 

 Rampant Fumitory is described. 



Of the Fumitories there are several species, divided 

 into two groups, in one of which the lower petal is 

 narrower gradually and slightly from the middle 

 upwards, and in the other group, in which the 

 common type described is placed, the fruit is not 

 retuse, whilst the lower petal is distinctly spoon- 

 shaped. 



Common Fumitory {Ftimaria officinalis). 



No other plant can be confused with the Earth- 

 smoke, as this plant is also called, for it has a 

 distinct habit of its own, and the colour of the whole 

 plant, apart from its structure and colour, is extremely 

 characteristic. 



It is common in all parts of the British Isles, but 

 it is confined to the belt of cultivation, not growing 

 above looo ft. even in N. England. 



