MIDDLESEX FLORA. 39 



MELASTOMACE/E. MELASTOMA FAMILY. 



Rhexia, L. 



R. Virglnica, L. Meadow Beauty. 

 Not uncommon. July-Aug. 



LYTHRACE/E. LOOSESTRIFE FAMILY. 



Ammani^ia, Houston. 



A. humilis, Michx. 



Winchester, Winter Pond (Dr. C. W. Swan). Eare. July-Sept. 



Lythrum, L. 



L. Hyssopifolia, L- Loosestrife. 

 Maiden (W. 11. Manning; Mrs. C E. Pease); Medford (Wm. 

 Boott) ; Arlington (F. S. Collins). Rare. July. 



L. alaturn, Pursh. 

 Chelmsford (Miss C E. Preston). Probably introduced in western 

 wool. June-Aug. 



L. Salicaria, L. Spiked Loosestrife. 

 Chelmsford (W. H. Manning) ; Ashland, rather common (Rev. 

 Thos. Morong) ; Frarainghain (Rev. J. H. Temple). Rare north- 

 ward. July-Aug. Possibly introduced. 



L. acutangulum, Lag. 

 Lowell, a single specimen on the sandy bank of the Merrimac (Dr. 

 C. W. Swan). 



"Herbaceous, leaves alternate, linear, lanceolate; pedicels short, 

 erect even in fruit; bractlets acute, very small; petals 6, oblong- 

 ovate; stamens 12." DC Prodr. HI, 82. 



Nes.^a, Commerson, Juss. 



N. verticillata, HBK. Swamp Loosestrife. 

 Common, especially in the northern part of the county. July-Aug. 



CACTACEy^. CACTUS FAMILY. 



Opuntia, Tourn. 



*0. vulgaris, Haworth. Prickly Pear. 



N. Reading, bank of the Ipswich river (J. Robinson, Flora of 

 Essex). June-July. Int. from farther south. 



