II GERANIACEJ]: 139 



The species is also interesting as one of tliose in 

 which the plant throws its seeds to a considerable 

 distance ; or rather the seeds throw themselves — a unique 

 case in our English flora. The capsule is five-chambered, 

 and contains two shining black seeds in each cell ; 

 the seeds are attached to the central pillar. The walls 

 of the capsule opposite the middle of each chamber 

 are very thin. The outer coat of each seed is a trans- 

 parent covering, within which is a smooth, hard black 

 testa. The outer coat contains four to five layers of 

 parenchymatous cells. The cells of the inner layer are 

 smaller than those of the outer, closely compressed, and 

 gradually become very turgescent. This is not the case 

 with the outer layer. Finally, the coat splits down one 

 side, the inner cells expand at once, thus turning the 

 coat inside out, the inner and now larger layer coming 

 to the outside, while the originally outer layer is turned 

 inwards. The result of this is that the seed is jerked 

 out to a considerable distance. Owing to the elevation 

 of the capsule the seeds fly clear of the leaves. 



In the arrangement of the flower 0. corniculata does 

 not materially differ from O. Acetosella. The pod is 

 more elongated. 



Impatiens (Balsam) 



Of this genus three species now occur wild in Britain : 

 /. Noli-me-tangere (Touch-me-not), a rare species with 

 yellow flowers, found in damp woody places in moun- 

 tainous districts; and two others — /. fulva, an American 

 species, with orange flowers, and /. parviflora, a Eussian 

 species, with very small yellow flowers, whicJi have 

 become naturalised in various places. The flower is 

 very peculiar, and is thus admirably described by Ben- 

 tham. The sepals and petals are " all coloured, and 

 consist usually of 6 pieces, viz. 2 outer, opposite 

 (sepals), flat, and oblique ; the next (upper sepal, 

 although by the twisting of the pedjcel it hangs lowest) 

 large, hood-shaped, ending below in a conical spur ; the 

 fourth (lower petal, but uppermost from the twisting of 



