no POLYGONE^ 



observed that there was not a single Dock on his land. Anyone knowing 

 the troublesome nature of this weed might have supposed that this was 

 a source of congratulation. The farmer, however, better knew the nature of 

 land and its weeds, and nine months after he had entered on his farm, he 

 called on the proprietor to inform him of his intention of quitting it. The 

 landlord inquired the reason of this decision, as the tenant had as yet had 

 no opportunity of seeing what crop he could raise in his fields. "Sir," 

 observed the farmer, " there was not a Dockan on it on Whitsunday ; I 

 brought Dockans from different places and have planted them, but they have 

 not answered at all, and I know that what Avill not groAv Dockans cannot 

 grow corn." Dr. Keith adds that this self-taught botanist was perfectly right 

 in his conclusion that the farm Avas a bad one. 



10. Golden Dock (R, m%rUimus).—l^xAiivg&A. sepals wedge-shaped, acute, 

 each with a lanceolate entire point, a prominent narrow oblong tubercle, and 

 upon each side two bristly teeth ; whorls much crowded, leafy ; leaves all 

 linear-lanceolate ; perennial. This rare Dock is, during July and August, a 

 very conspicuous plant in some salt marshes, and it sometimes grows also in 

 moist inland soils. Its narrow leaves distinguish it at all times, and when 

 the bright orange-coloured flowers appear on the tall stem, it is seen well to 

 deserve its name of Golden Dock. The blossoms are very numerous, and 

 grow in leafy crowded whorls. 



11. Yellow Marsh Dock {li. paludns). — Enlarged sepals lanceolate, 

 rather acute, each with two or three bristly teeth, and a narrow oblong 

 tubercle ; flowers in distant whorls ; leaves linear-lanceolate ; perennial. 

 This is a rare species, inhabiting inland, marshy soils. It is very similar to 

 the last, of which it is probably a sub-species, but differs in the form and 

 number of its enlarged sepals, and the teeth Avhich border them, as well as 

 in having a much larger nut. The root-leaves are rounded or slightly 

 winged below. 



* * Flanfs acid ; stamens aiul pistils on different plants. 



12. Common Sorrel (//. acetdsa). — Outer sepals turning backwards; 

 enlarged ones roundish, heart-shaped, entire, membranous, with a very 

 minute tubercle at the base ; leaves oblong, arrow-shaped ; perennial. Every 

 child knows the Common Sorrel, which from May to August reddens many 

 a meadow, its tint harmonizing well with the bright verdure of the grass. 

 The stem, which is one or two feet high, is of a reddish tinge, and the large 

 petals or sepals are at first bright red, and afterwards of a purplish colour. 

 The rich green, smooth leaves have a pleasant acid flavour, which is much 

 more powerful at the flowering season of the plant, and is due to the 

 presence of binoxalate of potash in some quantity. Many of the leaves 

 remain on the sunny slopes of meadows, sea-cliffs, and other places, even 

 during winter, but they have at that time little or no acidity. In autumn 

 the foliage has much redness. This plant and an allied species, B. scutatus, 

 the French Garden Sorrel, have long l;»een cultivated as salad herbs ; and fish- 

 sauce, and various dishes, as sorrel soup, are Aery commonly made in Conti- 

 nental countries from these plants. In former times, both this and the 

 sharper acid Wood Sorrel, as Avell as vine-leaves, unripe grapes, and crab- 



