BALSAMINACEAB 41 



alternate, simple, without stipules; flowers very irregular; stamens 5, the antfiers 

 introrse, connivent and sometimes coherent; capsule, bursting elastically ; seed* 

 without albumen. 



L. 



[Latin ; alluding to the sudden bursting of the ripe pod, when touched.] 

 Calyx and corolla colored nearly alike : Sepals apparently 4, the 

 2 upper ones being united almost to the apex the lower one 

 largest, forming a spurred sac, at base. Petals 4, united in pairs, 

 forming one unequally 2-lobed petal on each side. Ovary 5-celled; 

 stigma sessile. Capsule with evanescent partitions, 6-valved, the 

 valves incurving elastically from apex to base, and scattering the 

 seeds. Annuals. 



1. 1. l>5i 1 1 i d a , Nutt. Leaves oblong-ovate, rather acute ; sac di- 

 lated, broader than long, obtusely conic, with a short recurved spur. 

 PALLID IMPATIENS. Pale Snap-weed. Touch-me-not. 



Stem 3 to 5 feet high, branched. leaves 2 to 5 or 6 inches long; petioles one- 

 eighth of an inch to 3 inches in length, the upper leaves being nearly sessile. 

 Peduncles axillary, 1 to 3 inches long, slender, 2- to 5-flowered. Flowers pale yel- 

 low, sparingly dotted with brownish-red ; spur about % of an inch long. > 

 Hob. Moist, shaded grounds : frequent. Fl. July. Fr. Aug. 



"2. I. fViIvil, Nutt. Leaves rhombic- ovate, rather obtuse; sac 

 longer than broad, acutely conic, with a longish recurved spur. 

 TAWNY IMPATIENS. Spotted Snap-weed. 



Stem 2 to 4 feet high, branched. Leaves 1 to 3 or 4 inches long. Peduncles 

 about an inch long, usually 2- or 3-flowered. Flowers orange-color, with numerous 

 reddish-brown spots ; spur about half an inch long. 

 Hob. Moist, shaded grounds : common. Fl. July. Fr, Aug. 



Obs. Our two species were formerly regarded as one, and referred 

 to the /. noli-tangere, of Europe, to which they are nearly allied. 

 The /. jBalsamina, L. called "Lady's Slippers" a native of India 

 is abundant, and almost naturalized, in every garden. The follow- 

 ing fanciful lines, from DARWIN, probably have reference to the 

 European species, but may apply to all: 



"With fierce distracted eye IMPATIENS stands, 

 Swells her pale cheeks, and brandishes her hands, 

 "With rage and hate the astonished groves alarms, 

 And hurls her infants from her frantic arms." 



ORDER XXIV. TROPAEOLACEAE. 



Herbs ; stems straggling or twining, fleshy, with a pungent watery juice ; leaves 

 alternate, peltate, with radiating nerves, and without stipules ; flowers irregular, 

 large, on long axillary peduncles; fruit 3-lobed, or of 3 connate, 1-seeded, inde- 

 hiscent carpels ; seeds without albumen, 



V'2. TROPAE V OMJM , L. 



(Latin, a little banner, or Trophy ; from its showy flowers.] 

 Calyx colored, 5-parted, the upper segment spurred at base. 

 Petals 5, unequal, the upper 2 sessile, the others clawed. Stamens 

 8. Stigmas 3. 



1. T. MAJUS, L. Leaves suborbicular, obscurely repand-lobed, the 

 nerves not exserted ; petals obtuse. 

 GREATER TROPAEOLUM. Nasturtium. Indian Cresa. 



