19 PAP AVER KECEAS 



the lines of the dissepiments, pale brown, the flat top projecting 

 eave-like beyond the edge and crenate at the margin, dehiscing 

 by a separation of part of the wall from the top, which remains 

 supported by the dissepiments, between each two of which a 

 square orifice is left. Seeds very numerous, minute, lightly 

 attached all over the parietal placentas, reniform, coat marked 

 with elegant raised reticulations ; embryo at base of abundant 

 endosperm. 



The form of the leaves is subject to great variation, and there 

 is a form with the hairs of the flower-stalks adpressed instead of 

 spreading. Five or six petals instead of four are not uncommon, 

 and the flower is sometimes white. 



Habitat. Few plants are more familiar than the poppy, which is 

 a common weed in all parts of England, especially in cornfields, 

 but also in waste places, railway banks and recently disturbed 

 ground, being at times exceedingly abundant on light soils. In 

 Scotland it does not reach farther north than Forfar. It is 

 common throughout Europe, except in Scandinavia and North 

 Eussia, and extends through Asia Minor to North-West India. 

 Its original home is considered by De Candolle to be Dalmatia, 

 Sicily, the Island of Zante, and the South- East Caucasus. 



DC. Syst., ii, p. 76; Syme, E. B., i, p. 87; Hook, f., Stud. FL, 

 p. 15; Watson, Comp. Cyb. Brit., p. 89; Boiss., Fl. Or., i, 

 p. 113; Hook, f., Fl. Ind., i, p. 117; Lindl., Fl. Med., p. 15. 



Official Part and Name. EHCEADOS PETALA. The fresh petals 

 (B. P.). The petals (Rhceados Petala) (I. P.). Not official in 

 the United States Pharmacopoeia. 



General Characters and Composition. When fresh, red poppy 

 petals are nearly flat, have a bright scarlet colour, a strong 

 narcotic odour, and a slightly bitter taste ; but when dried even 

 with the greatest care, they crumple np, lose their odour, and 

 assume a brownish violet-red colour. The fresh petals are to be 

 preferred for use, and are alone official. The principal constituent 

 of red poppy petals is the colouring matter, of which they contain 



