nUMULACE^. 153 



with darker veins. Filaments nnited below into a short tube, the free 

 portion hairy. Caj^snle and seeds much smaller than in A. arvensis, 

 lint in other respects similar. 



Bog Pimpernel. 



French, Mouroii dSlicaf. German, zarfcr Gnuclilieil . 



GENUS VII.— CENTUNCULUS. Lm7i. 



Calyx 4- or 5-partite, free from the ovary. Corolla subpersistent, 

 witheruig; tube short; limb 4- or 5-partite, the segments connivent, 

 shorter than the calyx. Stamens 4 or 5. Capsule globular, opening 

 transversely, the upper part falling off like a lid. Seeds numerous, 

 amphitropous. 



Small annual herbs, with the lower leaves opposite, the rest alter- 

 nate ; flowers minute, axillary, subsessile. 



We find that Dr. Mayne gives the derivation of the name of this genus of plants 

 from Cento, a coarse coverlet made of shreds and lists, from its ragged appearance. 



SPECIES I— C ENTUNCULUS MINIMUS. Lhm. 



Plate MCXLIX. ■ 



Ri-i'ch. Ic. Fl. Germ, et Helv. Vol. XVII. Tab. MLXXXII. Pig. 4. 

 Billof, Fl. Gall, et Germ. Exsicc. No. G21. 



Leaves 'from which flowers are produced alternate, ovate or oval- 

 acute. Flowers subsessile. Corolla without glands at the base. 



In damp places, particularly on heaths where portions of the turf 

 have been removed, and among sand hills in places which have been 

 inundated in winter. Rare, but widely distributed, though appai-ently 

 not occurring in the north of Scotland. Rare, but widely distributed 

 in Ireland. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Annual. Summer, Autumn. 



Stems branched only from the crown of the root, the branches 

 1^ to 2 inches long. Leaves -^^ to ^ inch long, a few at the base 

 opposite, oval or elliptical, attenuated into indistinct petioles, the 

 upper ones nearly sessile, the greater number with flowers in their 

 axils, and alternate. Flowers white or pink. Calyx segments lan- 

 ceolate-subulate. Corolla shorter than the calyx, erect, usually with 

 4 segments. Capsule globular, apiculate, shorter than the calyx. 

 Seeds veiy minute, hemispherical, trigonous, dark brown, shagreened. 

 Plant glabrous, often Avith a reddish tinge. 



Bastard Pimpernel. 



French, Ci'iili'iiilJp nninf. Gorman, Arl-pr-Klfnilhiq, 

 VOL. VII. X 



