GERANIUM. 83 



The Pinkworts thus defined will include 35 genera and 1000 spe- 

 cies, growing on mountains, rocks, hedges, and waste places, in the 

 temperate and cold regions of the World. Except for ornament they 

 seem to be of little service to Man. 



Sweet William (Didnthus barbdtus), with flowers in dense cymes, 

 and infinite variety of color, is from Europe. 



Catchfly (Silene) is noted for the viscid rings just below the joints, 

 serving not only to catch little flies and gnats, but to stop the ascent 

 of ants who would steal the nectar intended for the bees. 



Corn Cockle (Lychnis CKthdgo) is a handsome weed growing in 

 Wheat fields because its seed cannot be winnowed from the grain. 



Soapwort (Sapondria), called also Bouncing Bet, flourishes by road- 

 sides. It has large handsome flowers, and its herbage when bruised 

 may be used for soap. 



Scientific Terms in Lessons XVII and XVIII : Bifid. Caudex. 

 Caulis. Ditchotomous. Free central placenta. Internodes. Nodes, 

 Proterandrous. Teratology. 



XIX. THE WILD GERANIUM. 



Description. In May and June, the forests are every- 

 where adorned with the large, round, pale-purple flowers of 

 the Wild Geranium or Cranesbill. Beautiful in itself, it is 

 invested with additional interest by its associations.* It 

 stands firmly erect, 1 or 2 ft. high, clothed with whitish hairs. 



Analysis. The ffioot. Under the soil we find a stout 

 fleshy root-stock or rhizome, with many strong fibers at- 

 tached, a very astringent taste, and evidently perennial. It 

 is often sought by the country people as a household medi- 

 cine, and sold in drug-stores, by the name of Cranesbill. 



The Stem arises in Spring, terete, jointed, and with a 

 few leaves on long radical petioles. At each joint (nodus) 



* There is an Eastern tale that the Geranium was formerly a Mallow, but Mahomet 

 having laid a garment upon it to dry, it was transformed into this more beautiful plant. 

 A marvelous change indeed ; for the two plants are botanically unlike by many grades 

 of difference. 



