JUNE. 917 
two or three small distant leaves, and at the top of the stalk 
from four to seven oblong, obtuse, terminal leaves, from the 
centre of which arise from one to four beautiful white 
flowers, small, and with about seven petals. The seeds have 
a covering like the finest white lace. 
OcTANDRIA. TRIGYNIA. 
MoONOCHLAMYDE%. POLYGONACES. 
POLYGONUM. (Perrsicary.) 
Generic Character. Flower inferior, that is, below the fruit, 
with five deep-coloured segments. /ywit a one-seeded, com- 
pressed, and three-sided nut. 
Some species of this genus grow in water or marshy places ; 
others in drier situations. 
Potyeonum Bistorta. (Plate IX. Fig. 48.)  istort, 
or Snakeweed. A handsome species, growing in moist 
meadows in various parts of the kingdom. It is about a foot 
or more high. Upper leaves large, and clasping the stem ; 
lower ones tapering into a foot-stalk. Stem simple, bearing 
one spike of numerous flesh-coloured flowers. Seed three- 
sided. This species is not so frequently found as others 
