54 POPULAR FIELD BOTANY. 
A small species of this genus may now be found in dry 
places, in sandy soils, on wall tops, &c. ; but it withers away ~ 
early. 
CERASTIUM SEMIDECANDRUM. (Plate I. Fig. 4.)  Ivttle 
mouse-ear Chickweed. 'The leaves oblong and ovate. The 
flowers in a loose cluster, petals shghtly cut. Stems gene- 
rally branched, spreading at the base, three or four inches 
high, leaves and stem hairy, very clammy, and generally 
covered with particles of dust. 
IcoSsANDRIA. MONOGYNIA. 
CALCIFLOR&. ROSACEZ. 
PRUNUS. (Tuorvy.) 
Generic Character. Calya# inferior and five-cleft. Petals five, 
roundish and spreading, larger than the calyx. Nwé very hard, 
one-celled, two-valved. 
Prunus spinosa. Black Thorn or Sloe. A small tree 
found in hedges and thickets, with irregularly spreading 
branches, leaves rather long and narrow, serrated. Flowers 
very numerous, appearing before the leaves, petals white, 
flower stalks generally single. Fruit small, black, with a 
bluish bloom, used to adulterate Port wine, and the leaves 
