AUGUST. 337 



Senecio viscosus, its glandular hairy stalk studded with 

 agglomerated particles of dirt or mould, making it 

 appear with its expanded golden radiant flowers very 

 like an African Mesenibryanthemum. 



Farther on, the sandy ridges are darkened with 

 miniature thickets of the Burnet Rose (Rosa spinosis- 

 sima), whose bright red fruit, now abundantly conspi- 

 cuous, vainly tempts the eye, for its taste is insipid ; 

 amidst these pigmy bowers the glaucous Sea Spurge 

 (Euphorbia esula), raises its light green umbels, singu- 

 larly graceful, and its sister, the Portland Purge (E. 

 Portlandica), appears with crimson-dyed stalks; these 

 are relieved by the minute but dense masses of yellow 

 flowers of the Yellow Bedstraw (Galimn verwn) ; 

 while the pale clusters of Cynanchy-Wort (Asperula 

 Cynancliica) * the beautiful pink Dwarf Centaury 

 (Eryttircea pulcliella), as well as the broad-leaved 

 variety, the purple and white hemlock-leaved Cranes- 

 bill, and the broad dingy purple bells of the Sea Con- 

 volvulus ((7. Soldanelld), are strewed about the sand 

 as if dropt playfully by a bevy of sea-nymphs from 

 their chrystal vases, ere they entered sportively the 

 depths of the green ocean. 



It not unfrequently happens that where the border 



want of odour, in his Poemata Latino, Plantarum, which may be thus 



rendered : 



Fairer than the sweet Violet of the spring, 



Three colours in one blossom offering; 

 t Silver, and gold, and purple, tinge her vest 



Happy had perfume join'd but with the rest ! 



But here floricultural art fails, and Nature alone gives or denies that fra- 

 grance that makes the country air so exciting and delicious to imbibe. 



* It is remarkable that Sir J. E. SMITH, in the English Flora, affirms 

 that the Asperula Cynanchica is not found in Wales, though I have my- 

 self met with it abundantly both in Pembrokeshire and Glamorganshire. 

 It grows on the lime-stone cuffs opposite the Mumbles Lighthouse. 



Z 



