TKOPJEOLUM. 93 



XXII. THE JEWEL WEED. 



Description. There is a tall, smooth herb, with pel- 

 lucid, jointed stalks, abundant in low swamps and along 

 shaded rivulets, variously called Jewel-weed, Snap-weed, 

 Touch-me-not, &c. Fresh specimens, together with the 

 cuts, will show how much a flower may differ from its kin- 

 dred and still be recognized. 



Analysis. THE LEAF REGION. The annual root ; the 

 juicy stem, with its tumid nodes ; the ovate, serrate leaves ; 

 and the axillary inflorescence, present no new features. The 

 student unaided may readily characterize them. But the 

 flowers and fruit are remarkable. 



THE FLOWER REGION. The Flowers, although so very 

 irregularly and oddy developed, are evidently in nature and 

 intention 5-parted. Their color is a deep orange spotted with 

 reddish-brown. Only 4 sepals appear, but the upper one (See, 

 2, s) is notched at the broad apex, showing it to be double, or 

 composed of 2 sepals united. The lower (y) is a conical hood 

 (cucullate), or a cornucopia, tipped with an inflected spur. 

 Only 2 petals appear (p p), but each has a lobe and is evi- 

 dently composed of 2 united petals. There are 5 short sta- 

 mens with introrse (p. 40) anthers, and bearing 5 scales cov- 

 ering the stigma, which is sessile on the ovary. A vertical 

 section (1) gives an inside view of the flower. 



The Fruit is a general wonder. In form and structure 

 (3) it resembles that of Oxalis ; in behavior, it is very dif- 

 ferent. At maturity its 5 muscular carpels or valves become 

 elastic springs ready to break loose at the slightest touch. 

 Coiling with a sudden jerk they fly from the central axis (4) 

 and scatter the seeds in every direction.* 



* This is one of the many devices for the dispersion of seeds in which intelligence 

 and wisdom are manifest. The seeds of Maple and KA\ are furnished with wings for 



