164 ENGLISH BOTANY. 



GENUS F///.— GLAUX. roumef. 



Calyx bellshaped, coloured, 5-cleft. Corolla none. Stamens 5, 

 lijq^ogynous. Capsule globose, opening at the apex by 5 valves. 

 Seeds few, amphitropous. 



A fleshy herb growing on the seashore, with decussate entire leaves, 

 and subsolitary axillary flowers. 



The derivation of tlie name of this genus of plants appears to be from yXaui, 

 an owl, from the plant having, it is said, the colour of owl's eyes ; or from the Latin 

 words ijlamns or glamius, sea-green, which latter we think most likely. 



SPECIES I— GLAUX MARITIMA. Lhm. 



Plate MCL. 



BolcJi. Ic. El. Germ, et Helv. Vol. XVII. Tab. MCXXVII. Figs. 1, 2, and 3. 

 Billot, Fl. Gall, et Germ. Exsicc. No. 167. 



The only known species. 



On sandy shores and sea walls, and in salt marshes. Common, and 

 universally distributed along the coast and margins of tidal rivers, 

 but occurring inland only where the soil is impregnated with salt, as 

 in Worcestershire and Staffordshire. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Perennial. Summer. 



Kootstock creeping, with long stolons having scales at intervals, 

 several of which stolons are emitted from a pomt a considerable 

 distance below the ground. Stem decumbent, rarely erect, commonly 

 branched, with the branches usually simple, 2 to 12 inches long. 

 Leaves oval or olilong, fleshy, :f to |^ inch long, opposite or, towards 

 the apex, 4 in an irregular whorl, but the whorls are sometimes so 

 nmch dislocated that the leaves may be said to be alternate. Flowers 

 axillary, nearly erect, sessile. Calyx i inch long, campanulate, 5-clcft, 

 pink, with the margins of the segments white and scarious ; segments 

 obovate-roundish, obtuse. Capsule the size of a rape seed, globular, 

 cuspidate, sliglitly succulent, dull pink, marked with short reddish 

 streaks, openmg by 5 valves at the apex. Seeds 2 to 8, concavo-convex 

 or plano-convex, roughened, dark red, resembling those of a cyclamen 

 in miniature. Plant pale green, glabrous, bearing a superficial resem- 

 blance to Honkeneya pejiloides. 



Black Saltwort. 



French, Glaux maritime. German, Meerstrands-MilchJcrani. 



This little plant is very pretty while growing, with its rose-coloured tiny flowers, 

 and is associated with some of our pleasantest seaside rambles ; and though scarcely 

 attainable vrithout incurring wet feet, it is worth the inconvenience : and those who 



