TROPJEOLUM. 93 



XXII. THE JEWEL WEED. 



Description. There is a tall, smooth herb, with pel- 

 lucid, jointed stalks, abundant in. low swamps and along 

 shaded rivulets, variously called Jewel-weed, Snap-weed, 

 Touch-me-not, &c. Fresh specimens, together with the 

 cuts, will show how much a flower may differ from its kin- 

 dred and still be recognized. 



Analysis. THE LEAF REGION. The annual root ; the 

 juicy stem, with its tumid nodes ; the ovate, serrate leaves ; 

 and the axillary inflorescence, present no new features. The 

 student unaided may readily characterize them. But the 

 flowers and fruit are remarkable. 



THE FLOWER REGION. The J? 1 lowers, although so very 

 irregularly and oddy developed, are evidently in nature and 

 intention 5-parted. Their color is a deep orange spotted with 

 reddish-brown. Only 4 sepals appear, but the upper one (See, 

 2, 8) is notched at the broad apex, showing it to be double, or 

 composed of 2 sepals united. The lower (y) is a conical hood 

 (cucullate), or a cornucopia, tipped with an inflected spur. 

 Only 2 petals appear (p p), but each has a lobe and is evi- 

 dently composed of 2 united petals. There are 5 short sta- 

 mens with introrse (p. 40) anthers, and bearing 5 scales cov- 

 ering the stigma, which is sessile on the ovary. A vertical 

 section (1) gives an inside view of the flower. 



The Fruit is a general wonder. In form and structure 

 (3) it resembles that of Oxalis ; in behavior, it is very dif- 

 ferent. At maturity its 5 muscular carpels or valves become 

 elastic springs ready to break loose at the slightest touch. 

 Coiling with a sudden jerk they fly from the central axis (4) 

 and scatter the seeds in every direction.* 



* This is one of the many devices for the dispersion of seeds in which intelligence 

 and wisdom are manifest. The seeds of Maple and Ash are furnished with wings for 



