WASTES AND WAYSIDES IN SUMMER 



153 



plant is only slightly hairy, slender, erect, and branched ; and the 

 leaves are divided in a pinnate manner, with long, narrow 

 segments similarly cut. In this genus the sepals are longer than 

 the petals ; and the narrow, tapering fruits are constricted between 

 the numerous seeds. 



The Dyer's Weed, also 

 known as the Dyer's 

 Rocket and the Yellow 

 Weed {Reseda luteola), is 

 a plant of a habit similar 

 to that of the Wild 

 Mignonette, and belongs 

 to the same order [Rese- 

 dacece), but may be dis- 

 tinguished from the 

 latter by its four sepals 

 and four petals. It owes 

 its popular names to the 

 fact that it was formerly 

 employed for the purpose 

 of dyeing woollen fabrics. 

 This is a common way- 

 side plant, especially in 

 calcareous districts, and 

 often reaches a height 

 of three feet, flower- 

 ing during July and 

 August. 



Passing to the order 

 Caryophyllacece, we note 

 the Deptford Pink {Dian- 

 thus Armeria) — a downy 

 plant, a foot or more in 



height, with an erect, slightly-branched stem ; and very narrow, 

 opposite leaves, from one to three inches long, joined together at 

 the base, and mostly acute at the tip. The flowers, which bloom in 

 July and August, are rose-coloured with white spots, and are grouped 

 in terminal clusters, with a very narrow, pointed bract below each 

 calyx, usually as long as the calyx itself. This plant is to be found 

 principally on dry banks and on waste ground, but it is not common. 



The Red Campion {Lychnis diurna) is common on the banks 





THE FELIX WEED. 



