THE POPPY FAMILY 9


32 If the Fruit is cut across (fig. 5, 3), the structure is
easily seen. There are numerous walls inside, like the radii of
a circle, which, however, do not quite join in the centre, and it
is on these walls that the seeds grow, until they are ripe when
they drop off into the space between the walls. In order to let
them escape from the capsule (as the fruit is called), little
windows open all round the top just below the stigma (fig. 5, 4;


Fig. 5.—1. Opium Poppy (Papaver somniferum).
2. Diagram of flower. 3. Transverse and 4, vertical section
of ovary. 5. Ripe capsule. 6. and 8. Seed. 7. Stamen.
poricidal!) and if the plant is shaken by the wind, the tiny
seeds are thrown about in all directions. Bend down one of
the ripe capsules and let it go, and you will see what happens.
We now see also why the stalk is tall and springy, as the
higher the seeds are from the ground the further will they be
scattered.
10 DICOTYLEDONS


Other Poppies.
The Mexican Poppy (Argemone Mexicana) is a well-known
weed with prickly white-veined leaves and a yellow juice in all
its parts. Oil for lamps is extracted from the seeds. The seeds


are also used as a purgative.
Fig. 6.— Corn Poppy (Papaver Rhwas).
The Corn Poppy (Papaver Rhoas) is sometimes grown in
gardens for its beautiful scarlet flowers. To the farmer the Corn
Poppy isa pest, for it robs the corn of nourishment, light and space.
THE CRUCIFER OR MUSTARD FAMILY 11


~~


4, The Crucifer or Mustard Family


(Crucifere).
