118 CARYOPHYLLE^. 



8. Jagged Chickweed (Holdsteum). 



Umbelliferous Jagged Chickweed (H. umhcU(dum). — Stems 

 smooth below, and hairy aliove ; leaves oblong and acute ; flower-stalks 

 turning downwards after flowering. Plant annual. This is a singular and 

 interesting little plant, very rare in this country, found only on very old 

 walls about Norwich and Bury. Its stems are about four or five inches high, 

 leafy, and viscid between the joints. The flowers are about four or five in 

 each umbel ; and the petals are white with a reddish tinge. It blossoms in 

 April. The French call the plant HolosU ; the Germans, Sparre ; and the 

 Dutch, Zorghzaad. 



9. . Spurrey (Sj-iergida). 



1. Corn Spurrey {S. arvSnsis). — Leaves slender, cylindrical, and awl- 

 shaped, in whorls around the stem, with minute chaffy stipules at the base ; 

 flowers in panicles ; flower-stalks bent down when in fruit. Plant annual. 

 This Spurrey, which is common on gravelly and sandy soils throughout 

 Europe, is from six to twelve inches high, and when luxuriant is sometimes 

 more abundant in the cultivated field than the farmer desires. Its white 

 flowers may be seen throughout the summer, and its stalks and flower-cups 

 have usually a reddish tinge. The leaves, which are scarcely thicker than a 

 coai\se thread, are about an inch in length. The French call this plant 

 La Spergule ; the Germans, Der Acherspargel ; the Dutch, Akker-spurri It is 

 the Spergola of the Italian ; and the Danish name of Knaegraes is not inap- 

 propriate, as the stalks bend at the joints in a sort of angular manner, 

 difficult to describe, but giving a peculiar character to the Spurrey. Our 

 country people have various names for the plant, as Sandweecl, Yarr, and 

 Pick-pocket. 



Although the Spurrey is a troublesome weed in the corn-field, where its 

 numerous seeds render it often abundant, yet it is a plant to be prized on 

 the pasture land, as cattle eat it with much avidity, and it is highly 

 nutritious. The farmers cultivate it in Holland on meadows destined to 

 afford pasture for their cows ; and it is also sown in the Netherlands among 

 the stubble of the field from which the corn has been gathered in, in order 

 that it may afford winter food for the sheep. It is remarkably rapid in its 

 growth, for it may be sown and reaped in the course of eight weeks, either 

 in autumn or spring ; and the sheep are much improved by feeding upon it. 

 It is also a favourite and valuable food for poultry. Von Thaer remarked of 

 it, that it is the most nourishing, in proportion to its bulk, of all forage, and 

 eives the best flavoured milk and butter. Its culture has been recommended 

 to the English agriculturist ; but it is thought that the expense would exceed 

 the remuneration of the crop, and, as Professor Martyn remarks, we have 

 many plants better adapted to our poorest soils. The Spurrey grows wild 

 in many parts of North America, and is very abundant in the neighbourhood 

 of Quebec. It seems universal throughout Europe ; and in Finland and 

 Norway bread is made of its seeds during seasons of scarcity. The small 

 flowers are very sensitive under atmospheric changes ; and Dr. George 

 Johnston remarks, " We have seen a whole field, whitened with its blossoms, 



