THE AMERICAN BOTANIST. 
43 
quet and one looks in vain in the popular handbooks for a 
description of it. If the manuals had their way it would be 
common in most of the states east of the IMississippi, but it 
appears to be by no means a common plant. As the berries 
mature this species has the curious habit of bending the 
spathe downward until the tip reaches the mud, where it 
decays and probably sets the fruits free. In the South 
Atlantic States another species, Peltandra alba, with a white 
spathe, is found. Otherwise it is much like its relative. 
It is noticeable that all our species of this family show 
a preference for a watery habitat. Those that are least in 
fluenced in this direction are the Jack-in-the-pulpit (Aris- 
aema triphyUum) and its relative, the green dragon [A. 
dracontium) , but we all know how the first loves a moist, 
rich spot in the woods, and how inclined the dragon is to 
haunt the banks of streams. No one needs a description 
of Jack-in-the-pulpit. The purple-and-green streaked spathe 
drooping over the erect spadix is familiar to every child 
who has even a speaking acquaintance with the spring 
woodlands. As Indian turnip, the underground parts have 
served as the basis of many a school-boy's practical joke. 
It is almost worth anybodv's while to carefully nibble this 
pungent corm by way of experiment. It should be tasted, 
however, not chewed. One may be duly impressed with its 
powers with a very small amount. Many tropical species 
have similar properties. 
One may well wonder how the green dragon got its 
name. There is nothing dragon-like in its appearance, 
though the long, slender, green spadix, too long for the 
spathe, and therefore projecting some inches beyond it. gives 
the flower-cluster a bizarre look that must attract the at- 
tention if it does not compel the admiration. It needs no 
further note to distinguish it from the more familiar species, 
though if this were necessary the single leaf, curiously 
