40 FUMARIACE^ 



2. Fumitory (Fumdria). 



1. Ramping Fumitory (F. caprcoldta). — Sepals as broad as the corolla, 

 and half as long ; fruit globose, notched ; leaves twice pinnate ; leaflets flat. 

 Plant annual. This species, which is very common in hedges, gardens, and 

 by roadsides, is so variable, that it is often very ditticult of discrimination by 

 the unpractised botanist. Sir William Hooker observes, that it is best dis- 

 tinguished by its calyx leaves, and its large petals. He remarks, that "in 

 the south of Europe, the fruit-bearing flower-stalks are usually remarkably 

 recurved ; in G-ermany and the south of England, they are only arched back- 

 wards ; and in Wales and Scotland they are often straight and spreading." 

 Other changes in the appearance of the plant occur also according to the soil 

 on which it is found. It generally climbs by means of its leaf-stalks. It is 

 in blossom very early in the year, and during May it grows beside the lovely 

 flowers, some of them so full of the sweet scents — 



' ' Which zephyr, in his wanton play, 

 Scatters in spring's triumphant way, 

 Of primrose pale, and violet, 

 And yonng anemone, beset 

 By thousand spikes of every hue, 

 Purple and scarlet, white and blue : 

 And every breeze that sweeps the earth, 

 Brings the sweet sound of love and mirth ; 

 The shrilly pipe of things unseen 

 That pitter on the meadow green ; 

 The linnet's love-sick melody ; 

 The laverock's carol, loud and high ; 

 And mellow'd, as from distance borne, 

 The music of the shepherd's horn." 



The flower is in bloom until August ; the typical form is cream-coloured, 

 becoming dai-ker after fertilization ; but there are sub-species whose flowers 

 are pink tipped with purple. 



The old English name of Earth-smoke, given indiscriminately to several 

 of the species, has its French synonym of Fumetcrre, while the Italians call 

 the plant Fumniosterno. It is Der Frdrauch of the Germans, the Didvekervel 

 of the Dutch, and the Palomilla of the Spaniard. The Fumitory and the 

 Fumaria of the botanist alike indicate, with most of the continental names, 

 its connexion with smoke ; some say, because it covers the earth like smoke ; 

 others, because it affects the eyes like smoke. Some detect in it a smoky 

 odour, not perceptible to the author ; but the reason given by the Rev. C. A. 

 Johns, in his "Flowers of the Field," is doubtless the true one. " Its name," 

 this gentleman says, " from fumus, smoke, was given because the smoke of 

 this plant was said by the ancient exorcists to have the power of expelling 

 evil spirits, when men believed in ' herbes of vertue,' and called in their 



aid to — 



" ' Chase evil spirits away by dint 

 Of sickle, horseshoe, hollow flint." " 



The author has inquired in many villages for any trace of old supersti- 

 tious customs connected with the Fumitory, but could find none, though they 

 probably exist in Northamptonshire, as Clare says — 



