56 



HUTCHINSON'S POPULAR BOTANY 



Phot 



[E. Step. 



FIG. 85. FLOWERS OF SORREL (Rumex acetosa). 



The Sorrels are not related to the Wood-sorrel, but to the Dock. 



The similar names have been bestowed because both contain sharp 



juices due to the presence of oxalate of potash in their tissues. 



Slightly reduced. NORTHERN TEMPERATE and ARCTIC REGIONS. 



as well. Thus the substances- 

 known as secondary or by- 

 products, such as volatile oils. 

 resin, tannin, pectin, acids, wax. 

 etc., are results of metabolism ; 

 so, too, are the substances called 

 degradation-pro ducts, which are 

 formed by the breaking down 

 and partial dissolving of organ- 

 ized structures. To this class 

 belong the mucilage of quince- 

 seeds and linseed, and many 

 kinds of gum, in some of which 

 as the Gum Tragacanth the- 

 organization of the cell-walls 

 used in their formation may 

 be detected. The gum named 

 is obtained from the Great 

 Goafs-thorn (Astragalus traga- 

 cantha}, a Levantine shrub, from 

 the bark of which it exudes 

 spontaneously at certain seasons 

 of the year, when it coagulates 

 and hardens and is then ready 

 to be collected. 



How marvellous are these 

 changes when considered as the 

 results of protoplasmic activity !. 

 What miracle-workers are our 

 little protoplasts ! What a box 

 of wonders is every living cell L 

 " They may be regarded," as 

 Dr. Taylor pleasantly remarks, 

 " as so many organic chemical 

 laboratories, in which synthesis 

 is carried on even more vigor- 

 ously than analysis. Some are 

 starch manufacturers like Col- 

 man, as in the potato and other 

 tubers and bulbs ; some are per- 

 fume distillers like Rimmel, as 

 the cells in the leaves of Sweet- 

 briar (Rosa rubiginosa). Laven- 

 der (Lavandula), and Mints* 



