30 Geographical Distribution of Plants. 



Generally speaking, the constitution of the papaveraceae may 

 be said to be more sensitive and less able to bear change than the 

 Ranunculaceae to which they are closely allied. The area over 

 which each species spreads itself is much more narrowly limited 

 than with the Ranunculaceae. The eastern species do not traverse 

 the great water shed to the westward, neither do the western spe- 

 cies cross to this side. We may therefore decidedly infer, that 

 compared with the other order, they have less pliability of habit, 

 and greater susceptibility under changes of climate. The E^chs- 

 choltzia, however, when cultivated, accommodates itself to very 

 different temperatures and situations from those whence it was 

 originally taken. As for our little northern poppy it takes a wide 

 range in place, but a small one in temperature and climate. 



Lindley says that two-thirds of the species of Papaveraceas are 

 found in Europe, yet of his total thirteen genera, we have pro- 

 duced seven, as occurring in North America. In fact this Conti- 

 nent possesses as nearly as many genera as Europe, but as most 

 of them contain but one species, we need be little surprised at 

 Europe having a greater number of individual species. In all 

 other quarters of the globe Papaveraceae are scarce. 



Order — Fumariacece. 



The Fumariacese are in many points akin to the Papaveraceae, 

 such as the number of deciduous sepals, the four cruciate petals? 

 and usually one called capsules. They shew also a tendency to 

 imitate some of the Ranunculaceae in the spurred inflorescence and 

 divided leaves. We have three genera existing in Canada, Diely- 

 tra, Adlumia and Corydales. 



The first of these is familiar enough to our rusticating children 

 in the pretty Dielytra cucullata, or Dutchman's breeches. At the 

 confluence of the Ottawa with the St. Lawrence it is plentiful in 

 different localities. From our north shores it extends south to 

 Kentucky. It has never been seen in the central Prairies. Yet 

 the Blue Mountains round which the south fork of Lewis and 

 Clarke winds, is noted as one of its residences. Elsewhere west 

 of the Rocky Mountains it has not, to my knowledge, been heard 

 of. It may however occur in the volcanic ranges of mounts Hood 

 and Rainier. A great distance indeed have these Cucullarias 

 strayed from their kith and kin on the banks of the St. Lawrence. 



The Dielytra Canadensis, or squirrel corn, very like the last, is 

 its companion in Canada and the States, but does not trouble 



