FUMITORY FAMILY. 



FUMARIACEJE. 

 Dutchman's Breeches. Dicmi/ra GuGullmia. 



Found in rich, moist woodlands in April. 



The flower-stems and leaves (from 5 to 8 inches in height) spring 

 from the root. 



The large feathery leaf is many times divided and sub-divided in 

 groups of threes, the margin being entire. In texture it is thin and 

 delicate, the surface being noticeably cool to the touch ; in color, gray- 

 green, bluish underneath. It is borne on a pale, Juicy stem, which is 

 tinged with pink or reddish at the foot. Several leaves spring up 

 enclosed by 2 or 3 dry, reddish sheaths. 



The petals of this curious flower are 4 in number, one pair being 

 joined together to form a 2-spurred heart-shaped bag, with its spurs 

 spread widely apart ; the other 2 petals held within the narrow mouth 

 of the bag are very small, and join their tips over the slightly protruding 

 stamens ; the texture is very thin and delicate and slightly ribbed ; the 

 color of the petals is a pure white, the spurs being tipped with pure 

 yellow. The 2 divisions of the small calyx hug the bag betwixt the 

 spurs, — it is white, a trifle tinted with green. The foot-stem on which 

 the bag hangs is small and pale ; the flowers are set in a nodding row 

 upon the long curving or upright stem, which is pale or tinted red. 



In New England this is a less common variety than its sister 

 Squirrel Corn, B. Oanadensis, which is very like, though smaller and 

 pink-tinted instead of yellow. 



46 



