PLANTS GROWING IN MOIST SOIL. 121 



but that they do at times appear singly, only the chances are 

 all in favour of finding them together. Probably they are 

 linked by some bond of sympathy far too subtle for the percep- 

 tions of common-place mortals. The flower is more beautiful 

 than many of our choicest exotics ; and the gracefulness of its 

 growth cannot be exceeded. Early and late its leaves are hung 

 with dew drops as though they and the water were having some 

 friendly chat. The jewel-like marking of velvet brown is un- 

 doubtedly for the purpose of catching Master Bee's eye, as these 

 showy flowers are dependent upon insects for fertilization. 

 Their pollen falls long before the stigma is ready to receive it. 

 The plant also bears cleistogamous flowers, those inconspicuous 

 blossoms of the later year that are self-fertilized before the bud 

 opens. 



The pods are particularly sensitive to the touch, and if 

 handled will burst open and throw the seeds to a considerable 

 distance. To this fact is due the significance of the name 

 touch-me-not, or riy touchez pas, as the French say. 



Smerinthus Yenimatus is the name of the moth hovering 

 about the flowers in the illustration. 



PALE JEWEL=WEED. 



Imp at tens aurea. 



This species is more common throughout the north than the 

 I. biflora. Its jewel-like marking is very slight, and its colour 

 is a pale, greenish yellow. The flowers are often an inch and a 

 half long. Both species fade very quickly after being plucked. 



CARDINAL FLOWER. (Plate LIX.) 

 'Lobelia cardindlis. 



FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 



Lobelia. Cardinal. Scentless. General. August. 



Flowers : growing in long, terminal racemes and favouring one side of the 

 stem. Calyx: five-pointed. Corolla: a long and narrow tube divided into 

 five irregular lobes ; two that are upright and three that are spreading, or 

 drooping. Stamens : five with red filaments united into a tube. Anthers: 

 bluish and slightly fringed with white. Pistil: one, with a long style and red 



