AMARANTACEiE. 185 



mum ; the stem 6 inches to 2 feet long, generally more or less decum- 

 bent, but sometimes, in small specimens, erect or ascending. Lamina 

 of the leaves 1 to 3 inches long, usually shorter than the petiole, some- 

 what wedge-shaped towards the base. Uppermost glomerules without 

 leaves, so as to form a leafless interrupted spike, with similar but 

 shorter spikes in the axils of the upper leaves. Seed erect, pitchy 

 black, highly polished. Plant dull green, glabrous. 



The pericarp is certainly mdehiscent in all the British specimens 

 I have seen, but Smith says of it, " When ripe bursting all round like 

 that of jalantain." 



Wild Amaranth. 



French, ATHiaranthe hletfc. German, geinolner Ainarant. 



EXCLUDED SPECIES. 

 -fAMARANTUS RE TROFLEXUS. L 



mil. 



Has been fouiid in waste ground at Hertford ; and at Sawbridge- 

 worth, Herts. I have found it on the mud laid on Battersea fields 

 during their convex'sion into Battersea Park, but it has no claim to be 

 introduced into the British list, and indeed it would perhaps be better 

 to expunge A. Blitum. 



J. 



■I- . 



VOL. VII. n V. 



