224 NATURAL HISTORY. 



nut. The petals are used in infusion as a narcotic or 

 rather anodyne. O- 



The Celandine (Chelidonium majus). Leaves are 

 pinnate, and divided into feathery lobes ; calyx has two 

 sepals ; carolla four petals ; flowers yellow and hang in 

 umbels ; blooms from May to September. Found every- 

 where by walls and hedgerows ; yields a deep yellow 

 juice, the course of which, if the plant be viewed with 

 a magnifying-glass, can be distinctly seen as it circulates 

 through stem and leaf. After flowering, it bears a pod 

 in which is the seed. 



SIXTH FAMILY. FUMATORIA. Class 17, Linn. 



The Common Fumatory (Fumaria officinalis) is a small 

 branching, climbing plant, with leaves dissected and 

 many cleft ; flowers beautiful flesh color, blooming in 

 clusters. It has a bitter flavor, but is considered good 

 fodder for sheep. O- 



Cory dolls (Corydalis solida). Calyx has mostly two 

 sepals, sometimes altogether wanting. Only one of the 

 four petals the upper posterior one is spurred. The 

 middle anther of every fascicle, or little bundle, are 

 double, the others single ; fruit pod like that of the 

 poppy, but not separated into compartments, many seeded 

 and bivalved. Grows among hedgerows. 



SEVENTH FAMILY. CRUCIFER^E. Class 15, Linn. 



The Water Cress (Nasturtium officinale) has a diffuse, 

 hollow stem, spreading root-like along the ground. The 

 leaves are heart-shaped, flowers -white, and the pods 

 cylindrical. The leaves are very juicy, have a pungent 

 bitter taste, nevertheless they afford a palatable and 

 healthful article of food, and are used as salad. Grows 

 in ditches and brooks, and blooms in June and Au- 

 gust, h. 



