HELONIAS BULLATA. STUD-FLOWER. 35 



studded ornaments on castle doors and other objects. We do 

 not know that this flower has ever been taken as a copy for a 

 " stud " or similar ornament, but few could offer a better model. 

 The mathematical proportions of the parts and the harmony of 

 each with the other is very pleasing. The three-lobed and in 

 itself rather heavy ovary is yet in admirable contrast with the 

 light-lined pistils which curve back on the apex of each division 

 of the three cells. The lightness of the petals in comparison 

 with the heavier ovarium is balanced by their double size, and 

 their numerous repetitions of curved lines are relieved by the 

 straight lines of the stamens which stand out above the petals. 

 Then again we see that a pair of petals will make a perfect tri- 

 angle, either with one whole cell-division of the triangular ovary, 

 or equally as well with the bay formed by parts of two cells or 

 with two whole cells. We have a triangular ovary, three pairs 

 of oval petals forming three more triangles, and the whole form- 

 ing a regular circular flower. In our drawing the anthers have 

 burst, and are discharging pollen; but before they reach this 

 condition they are of a pale blue, and in this state the flowers 

 would perhaps commend themselves still more in art designs. 



In the absence of any recognized popular name, it will not 

 perhaps be inappropriate if we suggest Stud-Flower for it. 



We do not know that the plant has been of much use to man- 

 kind. Lindley says that a decoction is used in obstructions of 

 the bowels; but it is well to remember that the whole tribe of 

 MelantJiacece is a very poisonous one, and medical experiments 

 with them in unskilled hands will be very dangerous. 



We know of no successful attempts at cultivating it. In all 

 the instances that have come to our knowledge the plants dwin- 

 dled from year to year, soon disappearing altogether. It is 

 quite possible that it is a real swamp-loving plant, and may not 

 find water enough in ordinary garden soil. Many plants have 

 seeds which only germinate where the ground is wet, and they 

 must, of course, unless removed by art, live and die where the 

 seeds sprout; but such plants generally do better when trans- 



