Dendromecon rigidum, Benth. Poppy Family.

Shrubs two to eight feet high. Leaves.—One to three inches long; leathery. Flowers.—Solitary; yellow; one to three inches across. Sepals.—Two; falling early. Petals.—Four. Stamens.—Many. Ovary.—Linear; one-celled. Stigma two-lobed. Capsule.—Eighteen to thirty lines long. Hab.—Dry hills from San Diego to Butte County.

The tree-poppy is the only truly woody plant in the poppy family. Its pale leaves are quite rigid, and resemble those of the willow in form. The bright golden flowers are sometimes three inches across, and one can readily imagine the fine effect produced when many of them are open at once upon a hillside. Though found through quite a range, this shrub attains its most perfect development in Santa Barbara County.

[TREE-POPPY—Dendromecon rigidum.]

YELLOW PANSY.

Viola pedunculata, Torr. and Gray. Violet Family.

Stems.—Leafy; two to six inches or more high. Leaves.—Alternate; long-petioled; ovate; cuneate; crenate; with lanceolate stipules. Flowers.—Large; long-peduncled; deep golden yellow. Calyx.—Five-parted. Petals.—The two upper tinged with brown outside; the three lower veined with purple; the two lateral bearded; the lower one with a short spur at base. Stamens.—Five. Anthers nearly sessile; erect around the club-shaped style. Ovary.—One-celled. Hab.—Southern to Middle California.

Pansies! Pansies! How I love you, pansies! Jaunty-faced, laughing-lipped, and dewy-eyed with glee; Would my song might blossom out in little five-leaved stanzas As delicate in fancies As your beauty is to me!

But, my eyes shall smile on you and my hands infold you, Pet, caress, and lift you to the lips that love you, so That, shut ever in the years that may mildew or mold you, My fancy shall behold you Fair as in the long ago.