ON PLANTS tN RELATION TO ANIMALS. 2£) 
been considered a good addition to the food of children.* The 
species may be arranged as follows : 
a. Capsules smooth. 
1. Papaver Rhceas. Common Red Poppy. 
2. „ Lamottei. Lamotte's long smooth-headed poppy. 
3. „ Lecoqii. Long smooth-headed poppy. 
b. Capsules prickly. 
4. Papaver Argemone. Long prickly-headed poppy. 
5. „ hybridum . Round prickly-headed poppy. 
Before commencing our notes on the species, we would beg 
our readers if possible to look at the plates of the poppies just 
enumerated, and when summer comes to examine these interest¬ 
ing plants in the field, and as we have often done so with 
extreme delight, we at once direct more particular attention to 
their points of interest. 
These field poppies are remarkable for their fugacious floral 
envelopes, thus the calyx of two leaves as soon as the corolla 
begins to swell and unroll, the calyx-leaves fall off, and shortly 
afterwards—the period depending upon sunshine and the state 
of the atmosphere—the corolla of four petals expands in all its 
glory. It, however, is destined not to last long, but soon falls 
off also, to be followed by other flowers. 
Now, it should be noted that while the flowers that are ready 
to expand are perfectly upright, and are so exposed to the 
ripening influence of the sun; the flowers that are coming 
forwards are all of them in a bent and drooping position. In 
this case the calyx acts as a protection to the flower in the shape 
of a pent-house roof. As soon as the upright capsule becomes 
exposed, the bent flowers begin to assume the upright form, and 
so to go through the same phases as the former. The capsules 
being hard and coriaceous and protected from the rain, and 
hence the whole period of flowering and fruiting is one with 
most curious and interesting adaptations best calculated to bring 
about this important end. 
1st. Papaver Rhceas. Common Red Poppy , Corn Poppy , 
Corn Rose , Red Weed , &c. 
ie The specific name is said to be derived from pwva ( rhoua ), 
pomegranate, which the capsule resembles; or from peo) ( rheo ), 
I fall or flow, in allusion to its perishable flowers; or from the 
fact that when bruised or pressed a red juice exudes from the 
petals. This species of poppy is considered narcotic, though its 
properties must be slight. Prom the petals a syrup is made, 
which is extensively used for colouring medicines. Oil of 
* Adapted from Syme. 
