128 POLYGALA LUTEA. YELLOW MILK-WORT. 



the corolla seems to be formed of only three ileces, and which, 

 in some allied orders, would be separate, but here they become 

 united. Whether in this unusual condition for plants in this or- 

 dinal connection, the other two have remained wholly undevel- 

 oped or have been really made to form a part of what appears 

 to be but a trimerous corolla is not yet known, and the hope of 

 o-ettino- a clue to this may give some zest to teratological studies 

 in this direction. 



Polygala gives the name to the whole order Polygalaceae, and 

 furnishes the greater part of the species. Some of them are 

 found in most of the temperate portions of the globe. Our yel- 

 low milk-wort is very common in New Jersey, and from thence 

 south to Florida, but has not found its way far to the west, except 

 in the latitude of Arkansas, in which State it reaches its western 

 boundary. So far as we can ascertain it has not even been 

 found in Ohio. 



It does not take well to cultivation. It is included in some 

 catalogues of botanic gardens as having been cultivated in Eng- 

 land at different dates, but it is rarely seen there now. 



Explanations of the Plate. — i. A plant from New Jersey of average size. 2. Back view 

 of a flower somewhat enlarged. 3. Front view. 



