186 PASQUE-FLOWER. 



fade, the seed-containing vessel is completely 

 closed ; by degrees the cover becomes gra- 

 dually elevated, till it presents the appear- 

 ance of a beautiful little dome, supported 

 by a circular range of pillars, and affording 

 as many separate openings for the escape 

 of the imprisoned seeds. Nor less deserv- 

 ing of attention is that change of position 

 in the calyx-supporting stems, for the more 

 ready dispersion of the treasures which they 

 contain. Of this the chickweed and the 

 cyclamen offer familiar instances. In one 

 the stalk gradually twists itself spirally down- 

 wards till it reaches the ground, and even 

 penetrates the earth ; cradling the seeds, 

 and most probably yielding nourishment 

 from the parent plant ; as, when sown, they 

 uniformly refuse to vegetate. The other, to 

 which Linnaeus gave the name of Dode- 

 catheon, signifying twelve heathen deities, 

 from the singular elegance of its construe- 



