Zbo l 82 ]
P A R N A S S I A paluftris.
Grafs o f Parnajfus.
P E N T A N D R I A ‘Tetragynia,
G en. C har. Calyx five-cleft. Petals fsve. Nectaries five,
heart-fh aped, fringed with briftles terminated by-
little balls. Capjule with four valves.
Spec. C har. . . .
Syn. Parnaffia paluftris. Linn. Sp. PI. 391. HudJ. FI.
An. 1 3 1 . With. Bot. Arr. 325. Relb. Cant. 129.
P. vulgaris et paluftris. Rail Syn. 353.
P e r h a p s the neftary of the Parnaffia paluftris is more
elaborate in ftructure than that of any other Britifh vegetable.
We regret that its phyfiology is unknown. What fhare thofe
capillary protuberances, tipped with pellucid globes, have in the
formation of honey, is very doubtful, though that fluid is found
about the lower part of the organ which fupports them. Thefe
parts however form an excellent generic character, and there
is but one fpecies of the genus. Theoretical botanifts are not
agreed about its affinities, except that it is allied .to Drofera,
and we think alfo to Dionsea and Saxifraga, though Mr. De
Juffieu feparates them all widely; but he feems notidecided in
his opinion. The Parnaffia agrees with Saxifraga in the wonderful
ceconomy of its impregnation, which is performed by
one of the ftamina at a time coming over the fligma, and retiring
again as foon as it has fhed its pollen. Its place is then
fupplied by another, till all have prefented themfelves in turn,
and then the ftigma clofes. Sometimes two come together, or
nearly fo. Rue exhibits the fame phenomenon.
This plant is common on bogs in the northern counties as
well as in Norfolk, and produces its elegant milk-white flowers
in Auguft and September. The petals are curioufly veined
with pellucid lines ; they preferve their whitenefs when dried.
T he ftem is angular and twitted; root perennial.