ig6 tETALOIDE^ 



tlie last, and at once distinguislied by the above characters. 

 Ditches ; common. 



3. S. natans (Floating Bur-reed) is found only in the north. It 

 has very long, pellucid, floating leaves, and flowers resembling those 

 of the preceding species, except that the barren head is usually 

 solitary. 



Natural Order XCI 

 ARACEiE. — The Cuckoo-pint Family 



Stamens and pistils separate, but on the same plant (moncecious) ; 

 /lowers arranged on a spadix, or central column, and endorsed in a 

 sheath ; perianth ; stamens numerous, sessile on the spadix ; 

 ovaries the same, below the stamens ; stigma sessile ; fruit a berry. 

 A curious tribe of plants, all more or less resembling the British 

 species. Arum maculatum, abounding in tropical countries, and 

 possessing acrid, or even poisonous qualities, which, however, may 

 be dissipated by heat. The most remarkable plant of the Order 

 is the Dunih-Cane of the West Indies, a species growing as high 

 as a man, and having the property, when chewed, of swelling the 

 tongue and destroying the power of speech. The effects continue 

 for several days, and are accompanied with much pain. Other 

 species, which are scarcely less noxious in their fresh state, are 

 extensively cultivated in tropical countries, and produce tuberous 

 roots, which, when cooked, are important articles of food. Even 

 the British example of this Order {Arum maculatum), though its 

 juice is so intensely acrid that a single drop will cause a burning 

 taste in the mouth and throat, which continues for hours, has roots 

 which, when properly prepared, are wholesome and nutritious. 

 This plant was formerly cultivated in the Isle of Portland, and the 

 starch procured from its roots, under the name of Portland Sago, 

 was used as a substitute for arrow-root. Several species have 

 been observed to evolve a considerable quantity of heat from the 

 spadix, at the time of the expansion of the sheath. 



I. Arum (Cuckoo-pint).— i^/owe^-s on a club-shaped spadix, 

 which is naked above and enclosed in a convolute sheath. (Name, 

 the Greek name of the plant.) 



I. Arum {Cuckoo-pint) 



I. A. maculatum (Cuckoo-pint, Wake-Rabin, Lords-and-Ladies). 

 — The only Briti.sh .si)ec,ies. A succulent, herbaceous plant, with 

 large, glossy, arrow-shaped leaves, which are often spotted with 

 dark purple. The upper part of the spadix is club-shaped, and of 

 a Ught pink, duU purple, or rich crimson colour, which is easily 

 rubbed off ; about the middle of the spadix is a ring of glands, 

 terminating in short threads, and below this is a ring of sessile 



