28 ENGLISH BOTANY. 



sti-icted part of the calyx-tube in the form of a slightly 2-lobed 

 cushion or disk (stylopod) ; placent:\3 in the axis ; ovules 1 in each 

 cell. Capsule obovate or oblanccolate-ovoid, covered with hairs 

 hooked backwards at the point, 2-celled, 2-seeded, and at length 

 2-valved, or by abortion 1-celled and 1-secdcd. 



Herbs with opposite ovate finely toothed leaves, and white or 

 flesh-coloured flowers in naked terminal racemes, with the pedicel 

 reflexed in fruit. 



This genus of plants is named after the famous enchantress of ancient mythology, 

 Circe, who bewitched the companions of Ulysses. The fruit being covered with hooked 

 prickles, lays hold of the clothes of passers-by, as it is fabled Circe did with her 

 enchantments. 



SPECIES I— CIRC^A LUTETIANA. Linn. 

 Plate DXI. 



Stem generally pubescent, with glandular hairs. Leaves dim 

 above, stalked, ovate, rounded or truncate or sub-cordate at the 

 base, acute or acuminate at the apex, repand-denticulate or faintly 

 denticulate-serrate. Raceme mostly without bracts at the base of 

 the pedicels. Disk projecting beyond the orifice of the calyx-tube. 

 Petals iuversely-scniicircular-deltoid, 2-cleft. Fruit obovate-ovoid, 

 obtuse, usually 2-celled and 2-seeded, clothed with reflexed stiff 

 bristly hooked hairs. 



In damp shady Avoods, especially among loose stones. Rather 

 common, and generally distributed; but becoming rare towards 

 the North of Scotland, though it has been reported from Caith- 

 ness. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Perennial. Summer 

 and Autumn. 



Rootstock crceinng. Stem fragile erect, or decumbent at the 

 base, with the nodes swollen, 1 to 2 feet high, slender, round, 

 branched or simple. Petioles i to 2 inches long, laminae IJ to 3 

 inches, sprinkled with minute transparent dots when held up 

 to the light. Racemes terminating the stem and branches, lax, 

 elongating in fruit. Pedicels about as long as the calyx, spreading 

 in ilowcr, reflexed in fruit. Plowers ^ inch across. Calyx with 

 the part of the tube that adheres to the ovary thickly clothed with 

 deliexed hairs hook(;d downwards at the end ; limb divided down 

 to the tube, reddisli, speckled. Petals wiiite or flesh-colour, broader 

 than long, deeply divided into 2 roundish lobes. Pruit ^ inch long, 

 densely clothed with hooked white bristles. Plant deep dull-green, 

 the leaves paler and shining beneath, the stem generally tinged 



