ERYTHRONIUM AMERICANUM. YELLOW DOG-TOOTH VIOLET. 67 



the pistil, however, is not three-cleft as in the lilies, but the 

 lobes are united, forming a club-shaped pistil, as shown in our 

 plate, and it also differs in other characteristics. A nearer 

 relation exists between it and the common garden tulip, which 

 has, however, a bell-shaped flower-cup, and a sessile, three-parted 

 stigma. At night our flowers close, opening somewhat as the 

 day advances, but on warm, sunshiny days they recurve as 

 completely as the " Turk's-cap Lilies." 



There are, no doubt, many interesting facts in the life-his- 

 tories of the Yellow Dog-tooth Violet which yet remain to be 

 recorded. In some localities, as already noted, the leaves are 

 not spotted as in other cases. In these instances there seems 

 to be a difference in the disposition to produce seeds, as if the 

 two points went together. Then again in some localities there 

 are immense numbers of small roots with only one leaf, and but 

 a very few — the flowering ones — with two, and it is not known 

 how long it is before a seedling-plant flowers. In the tulip 

 the young roots do not flower for several years, and it may 

 be the same with this. 



It bears culture very well, provided it be grown in a partially 

 shaded place; and no doubt, with attention, as many varieties 

 might be raised as have been produced in the tulip. 



Though so old a plant in history, the poets seem to have 

 overlooked it, its companion, the violet, having evidently had 

 superior charms for them. But as we have not the tulip with 

 us, and the genus is allied to it botanically, what the poets have 

 said of the one may without much violence be transferred to the 

 other. Holland makes the tulip reflect on its own merits, in 

 contrast with other floral favorites, as follows : — 



How vain are the struggles for conquest and power 



With golden bud and scented flower, 



Who claim, from their beauty or fragrance alone, 



Their right to ascend the garden throne ! 



A graceful form may please the sight, 



And frajrrant odor the senses delight ; 



