PHANTOM FLOWERS. 67 



will do for them, when they wiU become clear by 

 passing to and fro in a basin of hot water. 



Skull Cap {Scutellaria). 



These delicate clusters of seed-vessels may be skel- 

 etonized in two or three weeks, and cleared in the 

 same way as the Lobelia. 



Shell-Flower {Phyton Concha). 



A curious shell-shaped calyx, with four seeds, which 

 remain in the extreme point of the horn. The plant 

 is rare, and rather difficult to cultivate. It seems to 

 belong to the Sage family, and has an aromatic odor 

 when pressed. The calyx is very delicate, and will 

 macerate in ten days or less. When seen in a group 

 of Phantom Leaves, they somewhat resemble the Con- 

 volvulus blossom. 



Poppy. 



The cultivated garden varieties will macerate in a 

 week or two. The fibre does not remain very per- 

 fect, at least in a general way, as it is apt to tear 

 by removal of the inner skins. But the star-shaped 

 summit of the capsule looks well upon the velvet 



