THE PRICKLY-HEADED POPPY. 79 



derived from the Greek word rJtoua, a pomegranate, we are 

 told by one authority ; it is from the Greek verb r/ieo, I 

 flow, or fall, in allusion to the perishable and fugitive 

 nature of the flower, another writer tells us ; while a third 

 accepts the verb, but draws a different conclusion, affirming 

 that it is so called because when bruised, a red juice exudes 

 from the petals. 



The genus Palaver contains five English representatives, 

 of these we have figured two, the present plant, and 

 the scarlet poppy, or red-weed. As we may have no 

 other chance of doing so, we avail ourselves of the 

 present opportunity of referring to the other members 

 of the genus, as they are sufficiently common to render a 

 brief account of them not misplaced. 



The remaining three are called, respectively, the round 

 rough-headed poppy, the long smooth-headed poppy, and 

 the white poppy. The plant we have figured in our present 

 illustration has points of resemblance and of difference to 

 the first two of these. It may, for a moment, be con- 

 founded in name, or in looking at illustrations merely, with 

 the round rough-headed poppy, but it will be noticed that its 

 head, or capsule, though rough with bristly hairs, is not 

 round ; or it may be likewise mistaken for the long smooth- 

 headed poppy, but it will be seen that its head, though long 

 in form, is not smooth in surface. 



The round rough-headed poppy, or P. hybridism, is the 

 rarest of our British poppies, it is much more local than 

 the others, and seems to more especially favour a sandy or 

 chalky soil. The flowers are rather purplish in colour, and 

 the capsule, as the name of the plant implies, is globose in 

 form, and thickly studded over with thick bristly hairs. 



The long smooth-headed poppy (P. dubium] is not 



