CLOVE PINK TRIBE 115 



erect teeth ; leaves oblong and tapering ; stem and leaves downy. Plant 

 perennial. This flower, which was regarded by Linnaeus as a variety of the 

 following species, is very common on hedge-banks, in grass meadows, and 

 corn-fields, from June to September ; its substantial stem rising sometimes 

 to the height of two feet, and the large flower of pure white overtopping the 

 ripening corn or the tall flowering gi'ass. Its specific name is given because 

 it is a vesper flower; for though it is open all clay, it breathes no sweet 

 incense till the evening dews are on its petals. Sometimes the flower is 

 delicately tinged with red, and its stems, which are viscid at the joint, are 

 often of a brownish hue. 



5. Red Campion (L. diurna). — Flowers having usually the pistils and 

 stamens on separate plants ; capsule nearly globose, the teeth recurved ; 

 leaves broadly oblong, tapering, downy as well as the stem. Plant perennial. 

 This Red Campion is rarely seen in the corn-field ; its most frequent places 

 of growth being the moist hedge-bank or the wood where water is standing. 

 In some damp, shady places the plant attains a great height, and is very 

 abundant. The author has seen a wood of this description, which lay in a 

 valley, filled during June and July with these plants, in so luxuriant a 

 condition, the stems a yard high, and the flowers so large, and of so deep a 

 red, that the traveller paused, in coming down the hill-side, to look at the 

 rosy hue of the landscape before him. The lilossoms grow in a loose panicle, 

 varying in tint from a deep rose-red to pale pink or white ; and the ordinary 

 height of the stem is from one to two feet. Many beautiful species of Lychnis 

 are cultivated by our gardeners. The White and Red Campions are attrac- 

 tive flowers ; while few plants make more show than the Scarlet Lychnis, 

 which country people so commonly call Scarlet Lightning, and which our 

 forefathers termed Cross of Jerusalem. It is the L. chalcedonica of the 

 botanist, and is a native of Russia, but is much improved by culture. The 

 Italians call it Croce de Cavalihe. 



5. Cockle {AgrosUmma). 



Corn-cockle {A. githdgo). — Calyx ribbed, much longer than the corolla ; 

 petals undivided, destitute of a crown ; leaves narrow. Plant perennial. 



It is sweet to wander, during the various seasons, at early morning, through 

 the quiet pathway, and to look at those 



"Gorgeous flow'rets in the sunlight shining, 

 Blossoms flaunting in the eye of day, 

 Tremulous leaves with soft and silver lining, 

 Buds that open only to decay. 



" Everywhere about us they are glowing, 



Some like stars, to tell i\s spring is gone ; 

 Others, their blue eyes with tears o'erflowiiig, 

 Stand like Ruth amid the golden corn : 



"Not alone in Spring's armorial bearing, 

 And in Summer's green emblazon'd tield ; 

 But on arms of brave old Autumn's wearing, 

 In the centre of his brazen shield." 



This showy Cockle unfolds its rich purple blossom at the period when the 

 corn-fields are looking very beautiful, when the nodding grain is daily becoming 

 more golden in hue, as the sunshine of July is ripening it for the sickle. 



15—2 



