STUDIES OF PLANT LIFE 



sweet scent of the fresh flowers evidently suggested the last 

 name. The round clusters of orange bulblets that are found 

 at the base of the scape no doubt gave rise to the more 

 common name Squirrel Corn. Whether or not these grain- 

 like looking bulbs are eaten by the little ground squirrels I 

 do not know; the fact depends upon the authority of the 

 Indians and old woodsmen, so we assume it is correct. 



In studying the habits of this and the next species of the 

 genus Dicentra, I have noticed some peculiarities of growth 

 in these interesting plants which appear to have escaped the 

 attention of the more learned botanical writers. One thing 

 may here be mentioned, which is the total and very rapid 

 disappearance of the -whole plant directly the flower has 

 perfected and ripened the seed, which is about a month 

 after the plant has bloomed. The fine and elegantly dis- 

 sected compound leaves wither away, leaving not a wreck 

 behind to mark where the plant had grow r n; delicate seed- 

 lings, indeed, may be detected near where the older plant 

 stood, and a few golden bulblets may be found near by under 

 the mould, but not a vestige of the original plant remains. 

 These golden slightly flattened bulbs are intensely bitter, 

 but not acrid or biting. I think the tiny seedlings are not 

 the offspring of these bulbs, but of the real seed; yet the 

 bulbs will vegetate and produce living plants, as in the 

 Tiger Lily. 



All the species flourish under cultivation and become very 

 ornamental early border flowers ; but care should be taken to 

 plant them in rich black vegetable mould, the native soil of 

 their forest haunts. 



This family contains another very charming species to 

 which the outlandish and vulgar name of " Dutchman's 

 Breeches " has been given, and I am sorry to say this name 

 has been retained in Dr. Gray's manual. A far prettier and 

 more appropriate, because descriptive, name would be that of 



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