AMONG THE WILD FLOWERS. 123 
duced into the wound they inflict. There is a 
stingless species—not, however, wild— VU. dzloba, 
having leaves nearly cleft in two, and marked 
with a handsome network. The ovoid catkins 
of Lumulus are well known. 
A very curious plant of this order met with 
in the greenhouse, resembling Parietaria in its 
flowers, is Pzlea muscosa, the “ Artillery Plant,” 
with very numerous. leaves like Wild Thyme, 
and minute dicecious flowers. The English 
name refers to the effect of the elastic power of 
the filaments, which in straightening themselves 
cause the anthers to discharge their pollen in 
puffs, like smoke from a distant gun. This 
process may be quickened by sprinkling the 
plant with a little water. 
Specimens of the Composit are now increas- 
ing in number: there is the common Hawk’s- 
beard, Crepzs vzrens, a vigorous plant about 18 
inches high, with numerous yellow flowers, 
stalked, and a circle of deeply cut runcinate 
leaves at the base; C. paludosa, the Marsh 
Hawk’s-beard, should also be found. Then 
there is Apargia hispida, Rough Hawk-bit, a 
plant somewhat similar to the yellow Cat’s-ear, 
Hypocheris, but has the leaves Azspzd, rough, 
