STUDIES OF PLANT LIFE 
sweet scent of the fresh flowers evidently suggested the last 
name. The round clusters of orange bulblets that are found 
at the base of the scape no doubt gave rise to the more 
common name Squirrel Corn. Whether or not these grain- 
like looking bulbs are eaten by the little ground squirrels I 
do not know; the fact depends upon the authority of the 
Indians and old woodsmen, so we assume it is correct. 
In studying the habits of this and the next species of the 
genus Dicentra, I have noticed some peculiarities of growth 
in these interesting plants which appear to have escaped the 
attention of the more learned botanical writers. One thing 
may here be mentioned, which is the total and very rapid 
disappearance of the whole plant directly the flower has 
perfected and ripened the seed, which is about a month 
after the plant has bloomed. The fine and elegantly dis- 
sected compound leaves wither away, leaving not a wreck 
behind to mark where the plant. had grown; delicate seed- 
lings, indeed, may be detected near where the older plant 
stood, and a few golden bulblets may be found near by under 
the mould, but not a vestige of the original plant remains. 
These golden slightly flattened bulbs are intensely bitter, 
but not acrid or biting. I think the tiny seedlings are not 
the offspring of these bulbs, but of the real seed; yet the 
bulbs will vegetate and produce living plants, as in the 
Tiger Lily. 
All the species flourish under cultivation and become very 
ornamental early border flowers; but care should be taken to 
plant them in rich black vegetable mould, the native soil of 
their forest haunts. 
This family contains another very charming species to 
which the outlandish and vulgar name of “ Dutchman’s 
Breeches ” has been given, and I am sorry to say this name 
has been retained in Dr. Gray’s manual. A far prettier and 
more appropriate, because descriptive, name would be that of 
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