THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 1U7 



its flaxlike leaves. The plant is also called "gokl-of-pleasurc" 

 in reference to the yellow flowers but "oil-seed" and "Siber- 

 ian oil-seed" have been inspired by more utilitarian qualities. 

 "I\[adwort," sometimes heard is due to a confusion of this 

 plant with species of Alyssuni which, in a way, it resembles. 

 Another group of cresses are those belonging to the 

 genus Cardaminc. One of the most attractive plants of early 

 spring is Cardmniiic hulbosa the "spring cress," per excel- 

 lence. A species of similar appearance is C. Douglasii known 

 as "purijle cress" and "nunmtain water-cress." Cardaniinc 

 rotnndifoUa is another "mountain water-cress" and is also 

 called "American water-cress" and round-leaved water-cress." 

 Cardaunnc bcllidifolia is the "alpine cress" and C. hirsuta is 

 the "bitter cress," "land cress" and lamb's cress." The last 

 name is evidently derived from the one that precedes it and 

 this in turn from the fact that tlie plant does not favor places 

 as moist as tlie majority of the species require. An allied 

 species. C. pratcnsis, is also called "bitter cress" but it has 

 many other names among which are "meadow cress," derived 

 from its specific name, and "milkmaid." and "May-flower" 

 from its color and time of bloom. The plant is, however, 

 generally called "cuckoo flower" but Shakespeare's cuckoo 

 flowers was of a different color and is perhaps the marsh mari- 

 gold (Caltlia). Our plant, however, is certainly that "lady's 

 smock" to which the poet alludes in the lines. 



"When daisies pied, and violets blue. 



And lady-smocks all silvery white 

 And cuckoo-buds of yellow hue 



Do paint the meadows with delight" 



