1?0 



PlELb AND WOODLAND PLANTS 



with three small bracts on one side of the secondary umbels. The 

 fruit is short, swollen, and slightly flattened laterally ; and the 

 carpels, without vittge, have each five thick, waved ridges. The 

 Hemlock flowers during June and July. 



Several of the common umbelliferous plants are called the 

 Fool's Parsley by those who are unable to distinguish between 

 species, but this name is correctly applied only to Mthusa cynapium, 



a smooth, leaf y plant , 

 with an unpleasant 

 odour and poisonous 

 properties. The 

 plant grows from a 

 foot to eighteen 

 inches high, flowers 

 during July and 

 August, and is com- 

 mon in cultivated 

 ground as well as in 

 wastes and by way- 

 sides. It may be 

 recognised at once 

 by the help of our 

 illustration ; but we 

 call special attention 

 to the three, long, 

 drooping bracts on 

 the outer side of each 

 secondary umbel. 



On roadside 

 banks, particularly 

 in chalky districts, we may often meet with the Wild Parsnip 

 {Pastinaca saliva). This is an erect, downy plant, with a tap root ; 

 and angular, hollow stem from two to three feet high. Its leaves 

 are pinnate, glossy above and downy beneath, with five or 

 seven ovate, sessile, cut and serrate leaflets, and sheathing petioles. 

 The umbels are terminal, without primary or secondary bracts ; 

 and the flowers are small, of a bright yellow colour, producing 

 flattened, winged fruits. The flowers bloom during July and 

 August. 



The Cow Parsnip or Hogweed {Heracleum Sphondylium) is some- 

 what similar in general appearance, but is much stouter, and grows 



The Cow Parsnip or IIogweed. 



