WILD FLOWERS WHITE AND GREENISH 
referring to the stickiness of the calyx. The peculiar 
markings of the root, under the bark, suggest the skin 
of a snake, and it has been called Furman’s Snakeroot 
in honour of an Indian doctor who first employed it as 
an antidote for snake bites. The calyx is a natural 
“tanglefoot,” and small insects are frequently found 
stuck fast to its surface. This peculiarity prompted 
the English name, Catch-fly. 
BLADDER CAMPION. BEHEN. COW-BELL. 
SPATTERING, OR FROTHY POPPY 
Siléne latifolia. Pink Family. 
This pretty, delicate native of Europe and Asia was 
introduced into the vicinity of Boston, and has become 
very common in fields and roadsides from New Bruns- 
wick and Ontario southward to New Jersey, Illinois, 
and Jowa, throughout the summer. The smooth, 
leafy perennial stalk branches at the base, and grows 
from six to eighteen inches high. The oblong or lance- 
shaped, dark green leaves occur in alternate pairs, and 
are variable in size. They are acutely pointed, and the 
lower ones are often paddle shaped. The white flowers 
are arranged in loose, often drooping clusters, and are 
fragrant only at night. The five clawed petals are 
deeply cleft and wheel shaped. Ten long stamens 
extend beyond the corolla. The strongly veined, five 
toothed, pale green calyx is greatly swollen and strongly 
hints its common name. It is also the most distinguish- 
ing feature of the flower. In some parts of England; 
country people cook and eat the young shoots of this 
221 
