138 
THE LADIES’ FLOWER GARDEN 
very succulent, and is thickened at the joints like that of the balsam; the flower is large and rather handsome, 
but the most remarkable part of the plant is the capsule. “ This,” says Sir J. E. Smith, “ consists of a central 
angular column, surrounded by five elastic valves, so weakly attached at the base when ripe, that they spring 
from it at the slightest touch, at the same time curling up and scattering the few seeds they previously enclosed. 
The seeds so scattered will remain in the ground and certainly grow next spring, but if collected and allowed 
to dry before they are sown they fail to vegetate.”— {Em 7 . Bot. 2nd edit. vol. ii. p. 57.) The elasticity of the 
valves of the capsule is so great, that even though prepared to expect it, few persons who touch the capsule for 
the first time can help starting. “ The root is formed of branched and fleshy fibres,” and these fibres are 
frequently seen above ground descending even from the first joint, of the stem when the plant is kept moist. It 
is a native of most parts of Europe, and it is found wild in England in Westmoreland, &c., and in Wales : in short, 
wherever there are moist rich valleys among mountains. It is said to be poisonous to most animals except 
goats, who eat it freely. In gardens it is rarely cultivated, partly on account of the difficulty of keeping the 
seeds sufficiently moist to vegetate, and partly from its coarse and weedy habit of growth. 
OTHER SPECIES OF IMPATIENS. 
These have all been introduced, and are occasionally to be found in gardens, though liable to the same objec¬ 
tions against their constant culture as the common Touch-me-not. They have also all the fault of soon withering 
when gathered, so as to be quite unfit for bouquets. The culture of all is alike; the seeds merely require scat¬ 
tering on the ground, but the plants must be supplied with abundance of water, or they will soon wither. 
I. TRIFLORA, Willd. 
This species, which is a native of Ceylon, introduced in 1818, has large pale red flowers, which it produces 
early in June. 
I. FULVA, Nutt,, Eng. Bot. 2nd edit. Suppt. t. 327*, syn. I. BIFLORA, Swt. Brit. Floiv. Gard. t. 43. 
The handsomest species of the genus, having dark yellow flowers with red spots inside. It is a native of 
North America, where it grows near springs and rivulets, in shady situations, and whence it was intrpduced in 
1818, but it has lately been found wild on the banks of the river Wey in Surrey. It is generally considered to 
bear a great resemblance to the common Noli-mc-tangere , and is often confounded with it. When, however, 
we saw the two species growing together in the grounds of W. Borrer, Esq., at Henfield, Sussex, in the autumn 
of 1838, we were struck with the difference between them. Seeds of I.fulva may be purchased at Charlwood’s, 
and in other seed-shops, under the name of I. biflora ; but though they keep longer than those of 7. Noli-me- 
tangere , they soon lose the power of vegetating. 
I. PALLIDA, Nutt. 
A native of North America, introduced in 1817, with pale yellow 7 flowers and bluish-green leaves. 
I. PARVIFLORA, Dec. 
This is the species vulgarly called Jumping Betty ; the flowers are very small and of a pale dingy yellow, 
but the capsules arc large and spring asunder with great force when touched. It is quite hardy, and is found 
wild in Russia and also in North America. Seeds may be had at Charlwood’s. 
