204 EITFTOKIA. 



[class IV. ORDER 11. 



2. S. me'dia, Smith, (Fig. 261.) oblong Burnet. Spikes cylindrical. 



English Flora, vol. i. p. 219.— Lindley, Synopsis, p. 103. — Hoo"kor» 

 Britisli Flora, vol. i. p. 75. 



" Taller ami larger than the foregoing, with a nuich longer and truly 

 cylindrical spihp, of rather pale fiowers. Mr. Don, who sent it, had 

 scarcely an idea of its being more than a variety." 



Habitat. — Pastures in the West of Scotland — Mr. G. Don. 



Perennial ; flowering in July. 



This plant we only know from cultivated specimens, and from these 

 our drawing has been made. The spike is longer, and the flowers 

 paler, than in S. officina'Us; but whether these characters are constant, 

 and sufficient to distinguish it as a species, experience must prove. 



ORDER II. 



DIGYN'IA. 2 Pistils. 



GENUS XVII. BUFFO'NIA. Sauvages. Buffoniu. 



Nat. Ord. Caryophyl'le^. 



Gen. Char. Calyx of four pieces. Corolla of four entire petals. 

 Capsule compressed, one-celled, two-valved, two-seeded. — Name 

 given by Sauvages in honour of the celebrated Buffon, " who had 

 indeed very slender pretensions to botanical honour; a circum- 

 stance supposed to have been indicated by Linnaeus in the specific 

 name tcnuifolia." Smith. 



1. B. annua, Dc Candolle, (Fig. 2(i2.) annual Buff'onia. Stem 

 loosely panicled from the base, with short, spreading, firm branches; 

 furrows on the calyx straight, parallel ; capsules scarcely so long 

 as the calyx ; leaves subulate, spreading at the base. 



Lindley, Synopsis, p. 47. — Hooker, British Flora, vol. i. p. 74. 



B. tenvifo'lia, English Botany, t. 1813, — English Flora, vol. i. p. 

 226. 



Root fibrous. Stem erect, about six inches high, round, .smooth, 

 alternately branched, leafy. Leaves erect, opposite, awl-shaped, three- 

 ribbed, dilated and somewhat sheathing at the ])iise. Floucrs erect 

 small, white, solitary, on the roughisb terminal and axillary stalks. 

 Calyx of four lanceolate, thrcc-ribbed pieces, with rather broad, white, 

 roembraiious margins. Corolla of four oblong, entire, white petals^ 

 shorter than the calyx. Capsule fiatlish, ovate, of one cell and two 

 valves, containing two large, ovate, compressed, roughisb seeds. 



