PAPAVERACE/E 



3i 



cluster, and the fruit is rounded and obtuse. Each 

 seed is enclosed in a reticulated membrane. 



The Yellow Water-lily (Nuphar In tea) is also 

 common. The flower is of a deep yellow, not 

 exceeding 2 k inches in expanse, and smells some- 

 thing like brandy. Another much smaller yellow 

 species (Nnphar pumild) is very local, and is 

 chiefly found in Scotland. 



Insects which live on water-plants are less par- 

 ticular about their food than others 3 and those 

 which feed on Water-lilies will also feed, as a rule, 

 on other plants. Among these are several small 

 brilliant metallic-green, coppery, or blue beetles 

 belonging to the genus Donacia, and the dingy 

 white caterpillars of the China Marks {Hydrocampa 

 Nyphaata and Potamogata), elegantly-marked moths 

 about an inch in expanse, with long slender bodies 

 and legs, and oblong wings varied with clear 

 white and brown, and slightly interlined with 

 yellow. 



A fluid extract obtained from the white and 

 yellow Water-lilies has been used as an astringent 

 in diarrhoea, and also for sore throat. 



Order IV. Papaveracecs (5 genera) 



In the Poppies the calyx has two sepals, and the 

 corolla four petals (rarely three), all falling off after 

 a short time ; the seeds are enclosed in a large 

 capsule. The stem is generally set with stiff hairs, 

 and the plants contain a milky secretion of a white 

 or yellow colour. From that yielded by some 

 species opium is prepared. Most of the British 

 Poppies are red or yellow. 



Opium is a powerful narcotic, and is used to cause 

 sleep and to ease pain. A poisonous dose causes 

 insensibility, and contraction of the pupil of the eye, 

 and the breathing becomes slow and stertorous. In 

 cases of poisoning by opium an emetic should first 

 be given, and then strong coffee. The patient 

 should also be roused, if possible, and kept walking, 

 about to counteract the tendency to sleeping. 



Corn Poppy — Papaver Rliceas 



(Plate VIII) 



This bright-coloured flower is a very common 

 weed among corn, or on waste land. The stem is 



