88 PINK FAMILY 



3. SPRAGUEA. 



1. S. umbellata Torr. Pussy-paws. Leaves 1 to 3 in. long, 

 spatulate, obtuse, thick, those on the flower-stalks much re- 

 duced. Flowers in terminal clusters of coiled spikes, forming 

 close heads or open panicles. Sepals and bracts papery, rose- 

 tinged, equalling the 4 rose or whitish petals. Stamens 3, 

 exserted. (Calyptridium umbellatum Greene.) 



The chaffy flower-clusters of this plant are borne on nearly 

 naked stalks, which rise 4 to 12 in. high from a rosette of 

 basal leaves on a strong taproot. It is common in sandy soil 

 throughout the mountains, becoming perennial, with a thick 

 root, and much dwarfed at high altitudes. This pygmy form 

 is the var. caudicifera Gray. Mr. Grinnell, the zoologist, tells 

 us that the Pussy-paws is greatly appreciated by chipmunks. 

 These little animals shell out the minute, black seeds with 

 wonderful dexterity and after filling their cheek pouches, 

 carry the booty to hiding places, where it is presumably 

 stored up for winter use. As many as 750 of these seeds, 

 perfectly clean and free from chaff, have been found in the 

 cheek-pouches of a single chipmunk. 



CARYOPHYLLACEAE. Pink Family. 

 Herbs with mostly thickened nodes, simple entire opposite 

 leaves, and regular flowers. Sepals and petals 5 or 4 (or 

 petals wanting), the stamens as many or twice as many. 

 Ovary superior, 1-celled, with 2 to 5 styles, becoming a 

 several or many-seeded capsule. 



Sepals united; petals clawed 1. Silene. 



Sepals distinct; petals without claws. 



Styles 5; petals notched; plants 4 to 12 in. high 2. Cerastium. 



Styles 3 or 4; petals parted nearly to base or absent; plants 



4 in. or more high 3. Stellaria. 



Styles 3; petals entire. (Styles 3 or 4 and plant very low 



in A. compacta.) 4. Arenaria. 



Styles 4 or 5; petals minute and nearly entire or absent; 



plants less than 4 in. high 5. Sagina. 



1. SILENE. Catch-fly. Campion. 

 Annual and perennial large-flowered herbs. Calyx tubular 

 or inflated, 5-toothed. Petals 5, narrowed below to a claw, 

 which usually bears near its summit an entire or cleft scale. 

 Stamens 10. Styles 3 or 4. 



Annual with pale flowers; a homely weed 1- S. antirrhina. 



Perennial with bright-red showy flowers 2. 5. californica. 



Perennials with white or pale-rose flowers. 



