M^AWWS, FIELDS AND pASTT)R^S— SUMMER 233 



splits transversely when ripe. The plant flowers from June to 

 August. 



The other is the Ribwort Plantain (P. lanceolata), a somewhat 

 similar plant, the leaves of which are narrow, tapering at both 

 ends, with three or five strong, parallel ribs. Each flower-stalk 

 bears a globular or oval spike from half an inch to an inch in length. 

 This species also flowers from June to August. 



There are a few summer-flowering species of Orchids that are 



The Butterfly Orchis. 



1 2 



1. CAT's-TATL Grass. 



2. Meadow BARLEY. 



more or less common in fields and pastures. One of these is the 

 Marsh Orchis {Orchis latifolia), a plant so closely resembling the 

 Spotted Orchis (p. 277) that it is sometimes regarded as a variety 

 of the latter. Its tubers are palmately divided ; and its stem, 

 which is hollow, is usually from twelve to eighteen inches high. 

 The leaves are large, sometimes spotted ; and the spike of flowers 

 is large, with leafy bracts longer than the ovaries. The flowers 



