274 POPULAR FIELD BOTANY. 
Cuscuta Eprraymum. Lesser Dodder. This singular 
plant is found frequently on Furze, Heath, and Thyme, in 
exposed places. It strikes root in the ground, but soon the 
stalk fixes itself on a neighbouring plant; the main root 
then withers, and the litte parasite obtains its nourishment 
solely from the plant to which it clings. Before the flowers 
appear, when nothing but the red thread-like stalks are seen, 
it has a curious appearance ; but the flowers are very pretty, 
the calyx red, and the corolla white, growing in little bunches 
of five or six together. The botanist must look narrowly 
for it in the situations above-named. It nearly destroys the 
plant on which it grows. There is another species, C. 
Europea, but not common, found on Nettles, Flax, &c.; it 
is much larger than the last, and its flowers are of a pale, 
yellowish rose-colour. 
PENTANDRIA. DIGYNIA. 
CALYCIFLOR2. APIACE. 
CICUTA. (Cowsanz.) 
Generic Character. Calyx of five teeth, leafy. Petals white, 
and rather heart-shaped. Fruit roundish, contracted at the sides. 
