CARYOPHTLLACE.E. 81 



SPECIES I V.-CERASTIUM SE M IDE C ANDRUM. Linn. 



Plate CCXX. 

 Reic/t. Ic. Fl. Germ, et Helv. Vol. V. Cartjopli. Tab. CCXXVIII. Fig. 49C8. 



Eoot annual. Stems branched at the base, erect or ascending. 

 Stem-leaves oblong-oval. First pair of bracts smaller than the 

 stem-leaves, oblong-ovate, Avith a broad scarious margin ; secondary- 

 bracts broadly-lanceolate, much shorter than the flowering pedicels, 

 membranous, with a narrow herbaceous central portion. Sepals 

 oblong-lanceolate, acute, with broad membranous margins, the 

 herl:)aceous part covered with numerous short gland-tipped hairs 

 and a few articulated ones. Petals shorter than the sepals, narrowly 

 oblong, erose but not distinctly notched at the apex, with a few 

 simple veins. Fruit-stalks longer than the calyx, reflexed after 

 flowering, ultimately nearly erect. Capsule exserted, less than 

 twice as long as tlie sepals, very slightly curved upwards, and 

 a very little inclined to the line of the pedicel. 



On dry banks and on walls and rocks. Very common in England 

 and the South of Scotland, but becoming rare in the North. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Annual. Spring. 



Stems dividing into several at the crown of the root, 1 to 8 inches 

 high. Lower leaves oblanceolate ; stem-leaves varying from oval 

 to oblong-elliptical. First pair of bracts very much smaller than 

 the pair of leaves below them, and with a broad white membranous 

 margin ; the iipper bracts with still more of the edges membranous 

 and laciniated at the margins. Flowers very similar to those of 

 C. pumilum, but the petals considerably smaller and having the 

 veins unbranched ; the sepals have also broader membranous mar- 

 gins. Capsule shorter and straighter than in that species, but 

 decidedly longer than in C. tetrandrum. Plant light green, with a 

 greyish tint ; the glandular pubescence similar to that of the two 

 preceding sjiecies, but shorter. 



This plant has quite the habit of C. pumilum, but the petals are 

 very different; and all the bracts have membranous margins, the 

 upper ones being half or three-quarters membranous ; the margins 

 of the sepals are also more broadly membranous, and the capsule 

 generally shorter. 



Little House-ear Chickweed. 



French, C'craisle Penianclr'c. German, Filnfmanniges Homkravt. 



VOL. II. M 



