The Deadly Nightshade 



leaves are inserted one in each gap, so that there 

 are two rows of small leaves l3dng close by the stem. 

 All four rows of leaves have their faces turned up- 

 wards, so that all are equally well Hghted, and 

 the whole arrangement forms a charming mosaic. 

 In the angles which the leaf stalks make with 

 the stem the flowers arise, those in the axils of the 

 Uttle leaves being the older, so that we may get 

 fruit maturing in their case, while their neighbours 

 on either side growing by the big leaves are still in 

 their flowering prime. The flowers hang singly and 

 droopingly on short stems ; they are bell-shaped 

 and of a curiously dull, lurid purple, deeper in hue 

 within than without, and streaked with yellow 

 towards the bottom inside the bell. Lord Avebury 

 suggests that from their size and shape they are 

 chiefly adapted for " middle-sized humble bees." 

 The calyx is dull green in colour and divided into 

 five parts ; on the corolla the five stamens stand 

 on long filaments, but the ovary within the bell 



carries a yet much longer column. Round the 



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