IN THE CORN FIELD 283 



There are only two petals, and these are united into a narrow spur 

 which lies within that of the calyx. The fruit consists of a single, 

 downy follicle that contains several seeds. This plant flowers 

 during June and July. 



We have now to notice a few of the favourite Poppies (order 

 Papaveracece) ; and although these are generally easily distinguished, 

 even by the tyro, from the flowers of other oixlers, we think it 

 advisable to call attention to the leading features of the group. 

 These plants have a milky sap, and leaves without stipules. Their 

 flowers are large, regular, on long stalks, and droop when in the 

 bud. There are only two sepals, and they generally drop very 

 early. The petals, four in number, are very thin and delicate, 

 crumpled in the bud ; and the stamens are numerous. The ovary is 

 pecuUar, consisting of one cell that is partially divided by a number 

 of membranes (placentas) which pass from the wall towards the 

 centre. It is surmounted by a disc on which are several radiating 

 stigmas, corresponding in number with the membranes within. 

 The fruit opens when ripe by the formation of pores just under the 

 edge of the disc. 



The most abundant species is undoubtedly the Common Red 

 Poppy {Papaver Rha'as), which is to be found in almost every corn- 

 field, as well as in other fields and waste places in cultivated dis- 

 tricts, flowering from I\Iay to July. It is from one to two feet high, 

 covered with rather stiff spreading hairs ; and its leaves are pinnately 

 divided into narrow, pointed lobes which are themselves more or 

 less cut. The beautiful, rich scarlet flowers are about three inches 

 in diameter, often with a black patch at the base of each petal, 

 and are solitary on long peduncles that are covered with hairs. 

 The fruit is almost globular, tapering towards the bottom ; and on 

 its disc are from eight to twelve radiating stigmas. 



The Long-headed Poppy (P. dubium) is a very similar plant, 

 but is generally rather more slender, with hairs that do not spread 

 so much ; and its leaves are often more deeply cut into narrower 

 lobes. Its flowers are a little smaller, with two opposite jietals 

 larger than the other two ; and the hairs of the peduncles lie close 

 against the surface. The fruit is oblong, tapering towards the 

 bottom, the length being nearly three times the greatest ^^'idth. 

 This poppy also flowers from May to July. It is represented in 

 Fig. 1. of Plate VII. 



A third species — the Long Prickly-headed Poppy (P. Argemone), 

 also known as the Pale Poppy, is a small, weak plant, seldom 



