THE CARNATION FAMILY. 145 



7. Satin-flowek — {Stelldria holostea.) 

 Hedgebanks everywhere in early summer, decking them with 

 innumerable Avhite stars that look like snow. 



Curtis,!. 103; E. B. viii. 511. 



About Cheadle this plaut is called ''Breakbones," from the readiness with which 

 the joints of the stem come apart. It is remarkable alike for the profusion of its 

 bloom, the brilliant purity of its elegantly ribbed and recurving white petals, 

 against which the ten pretty yellow anthers shew conspicuously, and for the 

 grassy look of its herbage. The latter, instead of clisappearing in the winter, as 

 happens with most perennial wild-dowers, lingers straggling about the hedge- 

 banks, and sprouts with the first steps of the opening spring. The leaves are 

 smallest at the base of the stem, where they are often not more than three 

 quarters of an inch long, and gradually enlarge upwards, becoming at last two 

 inches or more in length. 



8. Small Stitchwobt — [Stelldria gramlnea.) 

 Grassy and bushy places, everywhere, growing amidst stronger 

 plants, delighting in their shelter, and running up prettily among 

 their branches, especially those of gorse, being weak and brittle, and 

 unable to stand erect. Fl. May — July. 



E. B. xii. 803. 



9. Broad-leaved Wood Stitchvs^ort — [Stelldria nemorum.) 

 Banks of rivers where shaded by trees, frequent. Plentiful beyond 

 Agecroft, bordering the Irwell and the little streams that strengthen 

 its current. Fl. May, June. 



E. B. ii. 92 ; Baxter, ii. 154. 

 Plants growing on river-banks are generally concurrent with them, their seeds 

 and roots being washed along by floods, and deposited as the water subsides. 



10. Bog Stitch wort — {Stellar ia uliginosa.) 

 Wet shady ditches, common. Fl. June. Annual. 

 Curtis, ii. 392 : E. B. xv. 1074. 



11. Chickw^eed — {Stelldria media.) 

 Everywhere, and in blossom always. Annual. 



Curtis, i. 20 (as Alsine media); E. B. viii. 537. 

 A most variable plant, but distinguishable, under every diversity of aspect, by 

 a ridge of white hairs running down the internodes, and shifting at every joint to 

 the opposite side. The Germander-speedwell is known among the Veronicas by 

 a similar feature. 



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