PELARGONIUM. 



87 



opposite. In our plant, however, all are alternate, with 

 long petioles and broad stipules. The hlade is orbicular or 

 nearly round, palmi-veined, with many shallow lobes, green, 

 but liable to endless markings and shadings. 



THE FLOWER REGION. The peduncles issue opposite to 

 the leaves and grow much longer than they, bearing an um- 

 bel of 12 or more flowers, with an involucre of 6 bracts. The 

 flowers are an inch broad, 5-parted, and 

 slightly irregular. Of the 5 green sepals, 

 the upper one protracts its base down the 

 pedicel, forming a slender tube upon it, or 

 a slender spur adhering to it (s). Of the 5 

 scarlet petals, the 2 upper are somewhat 

 smaller than the 3 lower.- Of the 10 fila- 

 ments, only 7 bear efficient anthers. The 

 pistil and fruit are nearly as in the Wild 

 Geranium save the twisted beaks. 



The Name. Now, with its irregular, 

 spurred flowers, its 7 perfect stamens, can 

 this plant be a true Geranium ? The French 

 botanist, UHeritier, A. D. 1787, separated such plants, and 

 formed a new genus with the analogous name, Pelargonium 

 (Storksbill, Gr. pelargos). It now includes 170 species, all 

 native in S. Africa, and many favorites alike in the conserva- 

 tory and in the humble cottage window.* Ours is P. zonale. 



The Record of the analysis of Wild Geranium is to be 

 used as a monitor, not a guide. The form of the tablet is 

 like those in the Plant Eecord. The letters following the 



* Another group of Gerania having regular flowers with only 5 good stamens and 

 the awns of the carpels twisted and barbed, was separated from the Linnsean genus by 

 L'Heritier and named Erodium (Heronsbill). One of its species, E. ticutarium, 

 deserves mention as a forage plant of great value. It is rare in the Atlantic States 

 but in California overspreads hill and plain to an immense extent. It is called 

 Al-filir^a. It starts from seed annually, grows rapidly, feeds flocks and herds during 

 Winter and Spring on its sweet herbage, and, in the dry Summer and Autumn, on its 

 nutritious seeds left broadcast on the ground. 



FIG. XX. Flower of 

 Pelargonium zonAle. 



