THE GERANIUM FAMILY. 103 



5. Least Crane's-bill — (^Geranium pusillum.) 

 In fields about Chorlton and Ashton-upon-Mersey. Fl. June — 

 September. Annual. 



Curtis, ii. 410 : E. B. vi. 385. 

 Eesembling G. molle in habit, but smallei'. 



6. Bashful Rose Crane's-bill — {Geranium dissectum.) 

 Common in newly broken fields, where the soil is light, by way- 

 sides, and on hedgebanks, flowering, like its congeners, from May to 

 the close of autumn. Annual. 



Curtis, ii. 409; E. B. xi. 753. 



Well distinguisbed by the deeply-divided leaves, which are hairy, not downy, 

 and the vei'y short stallis of the brilhant but timid flowers, which sit half- 

 concealed amid the upper foHage. 



7. Slender Crane's-bill — {Geranium columbinum.) 

 Hedgebanks, rather rare. Oftenest seen in the district lying south, 

 as at Chorlton, Bowdon, and Cotterill. Fl. June — September. Annual. 



E. B. iv. 259. 

 The very opposite of the preceding in respect of its flower-staliss, which are 

 frequently three or four inches long. Pollen, fciwe. 



8. Common Heron's-bill — {Erodium cicutdrium.) 



In cultivated fields and by dry waysides, but not a common plant. 

 Plentiful about Bowdon. Fl. all summer. Annual. 



Curtis, i. 51 (as Geranium cicutdrium) ; E. B. xxy. 1768. 



9. Musky Heron's-bill — [Erbdium moschdtum.) 

 Chaddock Lane ; Wood-end, Tyldesley ; and near the Swinton 



Schools, plentiful some years ago, but now rather scarce. (J. S.) 

 Fl. June, July. Annual. 



E. B. xiii. 902; Baxter, v. 362. 



The geraniums which so deliciously scent our green-honses with their warm 

 aroma, are botanically called Pelargoniums, They are mostly the results of 

 ingenious culture, no plants owing more to the skill of tlie gardener, and are 

 varieties chiefly of the F. speciosum and the P. cucuUdtwn. The old-fashioned 

 scarlets, vvith narrow petals, and flowers in dense umbels, and which thrive so 

 well in the open borders, along with verbenas and other ornaments of the 

 autumn, comprise the P. inquinans. with the foliage of a plain green, and the 



