144 CUSCUTA GRONOVII. COMMON AMERICAN DODDER. 



as It has no leaves of its own, it shows that the power of 

 individualization in species reposes in the cellular structure of 

 the plant. While referring to the ideas of the ancient herbalist 

 about the relation of the plant to diseases, it may be remarked 

 that one of the most recent and most careful of modern authors. 

 Dr. F. Peyre Porcher, merely says that "it is said to be laxative 

 and hydragogue," and " it imparts a yellow dye to cloth." 



The common name Dodder is said to be the ancient Frisian 

 word, and to signify a tangled hank of silk, which the stalks often 

 suggest. 



It was at one time supposed that there were but two species of 

 Qiscitta — one European and one American, and in earlier works 

 we have to look for our plant as Cttsntta Americana ; but Dr. 

 George Engelmann has shown that there are numerous species 

 in our country. The present one Is probably the form noticed in 

 the "Flora Virglnica" of Gronovlus, and has been named In his 

 honor Citsaita Gronovii. It Is the most common of American 

 species. Dr. Gray notes In his " Synoptical Flora of the United 

 States," that It is found from Canada to Florida, and, in some of 

 its forms, extends across the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific 

 coast. 



Explanations of the Plate. — i, i. White and colored forms of the same species. 2, 2, 2. 

 Varying forms of the flower at different stages of giowth. 3. Representation of the 

 umbonate apex of the capsule with its irregular-sized pistils. 4. Stem showing the points 

 of close attachment to the victim plant. 



