101 
IMPATIENS SCAPIFLORA. 
(STEMLESS TOUCH-ME-NOT.) 
CLASS. ORDER, 
PENTANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
NATURAL ORDER. 
BALSAMINEiE. 
Generic Character. — Anthers five, three of which are two-celled, and the two in front of the upper 
petal are only one-celled. Stigmas five, joined togetlier. Capsules prismatically terete, elongated, 
with the valves turning inwards from the base to the top, and expelling the seeds when touched. 
Peduncles axillary, branched, many-flowered. Capsules smooth. Leaves alternate, very rarely 
opposite. 
Specific Character Scape radical, bearing a raceme of long-stalked flowers. Leaves roundish, cordate, 
manj-nerved, entire ; spur longer than the pedicel. 
The accompanying figure represents a plant, wliich, though small, is perhaps 
one of the most elegant and interesting objects which adorn our hothouses and 
stoves. When plants are introduced to this country from tropical regions, we 
naturally expect to find them of rapid-growing, strong, large, or even gigantic 
habits, but occasionally we meet with a humble yet lovely plant, like the present, 
whose dwarf size and delicate blossoms seem formed expressly for the purpose of 
ornamenting such parts of our stoves in which it would be impossible to place those 
of larger growth ; and as plants of this description are comparatively rare, they 
possess additional interest and value. The most casual observer, in walking through 
our plant houses or stoves, cannot fail to remark how peculiarly adapted such 
plants as the present are for placing on the front stage or shelf of the house, and 
how equally convenient those shelves or stages are for the purpose of exhibiting 
these pleasing and delightful objects to the greatest advantage ; for, plants of similar 
habits and elegance to the one here represented, cannot be placed too near the eye, 
or in too conspicuous a situation, as the more closely they are examined, the sooner 
will their beauties be discovered, admired, and appreciated. 
; To all persons acquainted with this genus, a remarkable distinction is at once 
