44 CRUCIFER^ 



nerved ; seeds in two rows. Name from tmris, tower, from its place of growth, 

 or from its towering form. 



20. Winter-cress {JJarharea).—'Pod linear, 4-angled; valves with pro- 

 minent nerve ; seeds in a single row ; calyx erect. Name from St. Barbara, 

 to whom it was anciently dedicated. 



21. Cr^'ESS (Nasturtium). — Pod short, nearly cylindrical; valves convex, 

 nerveless; seedsirregularly placed in two rows; calyx spreading. Name from 

 nasus toiius, a distorted nose, on account of the pungent properties. 



22. Hedge Mustard (Sisi/mbrium).— Tod rounded or angular; valves 

 convex, with three nerves ; stigma entire ; seeds in a single row. Name, the 

 Greek name of several plants. 



23. Treacle Mustard (Erysimum). — Pod 4-sided valves keeled ; stigma 

 obtuse, entire, or notched ; seeds without margins, in a single row. Name 

 from the Greek eruo, to draw blisters. 



24. Wallflower (Chciranflnis).- — Pod flattened ; valves with a prominent 

 nerve ; stigma of two spreading lobes ; calyx erect, two opposite sepals 

 swollen at the base. Name probably of Arabic origin. 



25. Stock (Matthiola). — Pod cylindrical, or flattened ; stigma of two con- 

 verging lobes ; seeds generally with a membranous wing. Name, in honour 

 of an Italian botanist. Dr. Matthiolus. 



26. Cabbage (Brdssica). — Pod nearly cylindrical, beaked ; valves nerved ; 

 seeds globose, in a single row ; calyx erect. Name from the Celtic hrcsic, a 

 cabbage. 



27. Mustard (Sindpis). — Pod nearly cylindrical, tapering ; valves with 1 

 or 3 nerves ; seeds globose, generally in a single row; calyx spreading. Name 

 from the Greek sinapi, mustard. 



28. Dame's Violet (Hcsjicris).— Tod 4-sided or 2-edged ; stigma nearly 

 sessile ; calyx erect. Named from Hcspcros, the evening ; at which time the 

 flowers yield a powerful fragrance. 



t t Pod without valves. 



29. Radish (lidphanus). — Pod swollen, imperfectly jointed, tapering ; 

 seeds globular ; calyx spreading. Name in Greek signifying its early appear- 

 ance, or quick growth. 



1. Penny-cress (Thldspi). 

 1. Mithridate Mustard, or Penny-cress (T. arve??se).— Pouch round 

 and flat, with a broad wing around it, and a deep notch ; seeds striated ; 

 leaves oblong, arrow-shaped at the base, smooth, and toothed. Plant annual. 

 This cress has a very singular appearance in autumn, when the flowers are 

 dead, and its large flat seed-vessels stand around the upper part of its stem. 

 These seed-A^essels are about the size of silver pennies, hence its English 

 name ; and Pliny mentions that it is from them that the Avhole genus was 

 called Thlaspi : he adds that they are like lentils. When rubbed, this plant 

 has a faint odour of garlic ; and Sir J. E. Smith remarks that it was formerly 

 used in the Mithridate confection, " an elaborate hodge-podge now laid aside." 

 This plant is in blossom all the summer on waste ground, or in cultivated 

 fields, but it is of local occurrence. The flowers are small and white, and 

 groAV in little clusters. 



