CARYOPHYLLACE^ 



43 



are also clustered together, almost without separate 

 stalks. They are of a pale pink, or frequently 

 white, and their odour is very sweet. A decoction 

 of the plant in water or alcohol froths like soap 

 when stirred up. Although the plant is not 

 uncommon in many parts of England, botanists 

 are inclined to regard it rather as a garden plant 

 run wild than as a true native. 



A fluid extract of the root has been used in gout, 

 chronic rheumatism, and cutaneous affections. 



Corn Cockle — Agrostemvia Githago 

 (Plate XVII) 



This is a common weed among corn, and nearly 

 equals it in height. It may easily be recognised 

 by the greyish down clothing the stem, leaves, and 

 lower part of the calyx, and the large pink flowers 

 growing singly on long stalks, with the long pointed 

 teeth of the calyx projecting beyond the petals. 

 The leaves are long and pointed, and the seeds 

 are said to be poisonous. 



Among other notable plants of this Order we 



may notice the Bladder Campion and the Sea 

 Campion (Silene Cucubalus and maritima), with 

 white flowers, rising from a greatly inflated calyx ; 

 the Red Campion {Lychnis dioica), a common 

 hedgeside plant, 2 feet high, with red flowers smaller 

 than those of the Corn-cockle and richer in colour ; 

 the White Campion {Lychnis alba), a. similar plant, 

 but with white flowers, which grows in fields and 

 waste places ; the Ragged Robin (Lychnis Flos- 

 cuculi), with red quadrifid petals, a common plant 

 in damp meadows ; the Starwort (Stellaria Holostea) 

 a star-shaped flower with narrow white expanded 

 petals, common in hedges in spring ; and the 

 Chick weed (Stellar ia media), a common garden 

 weed with a small white flower. 



A large number of insects feed on various species 

 of Caryophyllaceie, chiefly hiding in the seed- 

 capsules, and devouring the seeds; others feed on 

 the roots, leaves, or flowers, and some live in the 

 capsules when young, and when older feed on 

 the leaves. Among the leaf-feeders are several 

 beautiful Tortoise-beetles, belonging to the genus 

 Cassida. They are about a quarter of an inch long, 



