94 WILD FLOWERS. 



are dehiscent and polyspermous ; while in fumaria 

 they are indehiscent, and one-seeded ; in other re- 

 spects, however, no difference is discernible. 



The largest of our fumitories is the F. capreoldta, 

 which is distinguished, as may be seen in the wood- 

 cut, by its broadly bi-pinnated leaves, as well as by 

 its more robust, and larger growth and habit, al- 

 though, in its smaller state, when accidentally 

 stunted, it is frequently passed over as a form of 

 F. officinalis* In general the flowers are paler 

 than those of the species just mentioned, and are 

 nearly twice its size ; I must, however, remark, 

 that in the woodcut here given this size is unduly 

 increased, and is, therefore, calculated to convey a 

 false impression. 



The common fumitory (F. officinalis) has its 

 pretty little blossoms of a bright rose-colour, with a 

 deep red, almost maroon, tip to the petals, along 

 which runs a bright, green keel ; the stem is 

 very much branched, and the foliage, which is 

 deeply cut, has a peculiarly light and airy cha- 

 racter, an effect which is heightened by the pale 

 and glaucous green exhibited by the leaves of all 

 the family. 



Still more deeply cut are the leaves of the rare, 

 least-flowered fumitory (F. parviflora), in which 

 they are reduced almost to the thready dimensions 

 of the fennel leaf. The blossoms of this plant, which 

 occurs on dry chalky or sandy pastures, are rose- 

 coloured, but a variety exists in which they are 

 white, tipped with dark purple, and in which also 

 * Sir J. E. Smith in "English Flora." 



