200 BRECK'S BOOK OF FLOWERS. 



rows; smooth in the other parts; red when ripe, bursting 

 irregularly, and dispersing the seeds with a spring. 



The fruit is used in Syria for the same purpose that it is 

 here. They cut it open when unripe, and infuse it in sweet 

 oil, exposed to the sun for some days, until the oil has become 

 red. This, dropped on cotton, is applied to a fresh wound. 

 The fruit here is not picked until ripe, and then preserved in 

 spirit. A piece of the fruit is bound upon a fresh wound, 

 which is considered efficacious. A native of India; tender 

 annual ; a climber four feet high ; flowers yellow, in July and 

 August ; time for planting in May. 



M. charantia. Balsam Pear. Like the last, a tender 

 annual, the same height and color of flower ; growth and habits 

 the same. Fruit fleshy, oblong, acuminate, angular-waisted ; 

 from the East Indies. This and the preceding must be sup- 

 ported with stout brush, four feet high. 



MYOSOTIS. 



Forget-me-not. 



Myosotis, so named from Greek words signifying a " rat's 

 ear." Its oval, velvety leaves are like the ear of a rat or 

 mouse. 



M. arvensis is a well known sentimental plant, bearing very 

 delicate blue flowers, with white and yellow eyes, in little 

 spikes or clusters, most of the season ; six inches high. 



It flourishes best in a moist, shady place. Propagated freely 

 from seeds. Autumn-sown plants succeed best. 



NEMOPHIL A. 



Nemophila insignis, Opposite-leaved Insfgnis, is an ele- 

 gant hardy annual, producing brilliant blue flowers, on stems 

 six or eight inches high. 



