190 LEGUMINOS^ 



and which well might remind us of the delicate fur on the hare's foot. It 

 is very distinct from any other British species, and grows on a stem from 

 six to twelve inches high. It thrives particularly well near the sea, and 

 often forms large masses on dry pastures or corn-fields, or, as at Sandgate, 

 Kent, on the base and sides of high banks overlooking the ocean. Its heads 

 are like velvet to the touch, and when growing in any quantity the mass 

 might convey the impression that it was composed of the downy balls which 

 are the appendages to the seeds of some plant of the Composite order. As 

 Mr. E. Gerard Smith has observed, in his " Flora of South Kent," that coast 

 is very rich in Trefoils, " which are its prominent, though humble ornaments. 

 Upon the sandy underclifF near Folkestone, they acquire an unusual size and 

 perfection ; and for these alone, not to mention the singular medicks, this 

 place is well worth the visit of the botanist." 



6. Teasel-headed Clover {T. marifimum). — Flowers in terminal 

 roundish heads ; calyx-teeth at first rigid, awl-shaped, and erect ; the lower 

 one much longer and broader than the rest, all of them spreading when in 

 fruit ; stipules very long, and awl-shaped. Plant annual. This is a rare 

 species, found on some salt marshes between Gloucestershire, Somerset, and 

 Lincolnshire, as well as near Kilbaric Church, in Ireland. It has small pink 

 flowers, in June and July, on a spreading stem. 



7. Crimson Clover (T. incarndtum). — Heads of flowers egg-shaped, 

 stalked, solitary, and terminal ; calyx hairy, the teeth somewhat awl-shaped, 

 shorter than the corolla ; stipules egg-shaped ; leaflets inversely heart-shaped. 

 Plant annual. This beautiful Crimson Clover is often planted in the garden 

 as a border flower. It rarely adorns our fields or meadows ; and in most 

 places where it occurs, it is rather to be regarded as naturalized, than as 

 truly wild. A variety, however, with light pink flowers, occurs on the 

 Lizard Point, Cornwall, which is undoubtedly Avild. This has been named 

 T. molinerii. It flowers in June and July, and is common in the countries in 

 the south of Europe. 



8. Starry-headed Trefoil (T. stellutum). — Heads of flowers terminal, 

 globose, stalked, and shaggy with long loose hair; calyx hairy, the teeth 

 longer than the corolla, bristled, finally enlarging and spreading, its tube 

 closed with hair ; stipules broadly erg-shaped, ribbed, and roundly notched 

 at the margin ; leaflets inversely heart-shaped. Plant annual. One habitat 

 only in England is known for this Trefoil. It grows in great abundance 

 near Shoreham, in Sussex. It is a very singular and pretty plant, with very 

 long calyxes, which at first hide the small cream-coloured corolla among their 

 bristly teeth, but which afterwards spread out in a star-like form. It is in 

 blossom from June to August. It is, probably, not truly indigenous. 



9. Soft Knotted Trefoil {T. striatum). — Heads of flowers tei'minal 

 and axillary, egg-shaped, and downy ; calyx swelled when in fruit, very 

 rigid, hairy, with straight but unequal small bristly teeth ; leaflets inversely 

 heart-shaped, or inversely egg-shaped ; stipules egg-shaped, and tapering at 

 the point. Plant annual. The small downy heads of this Trefoil grow 

 among the grass of our dry fields and pastures, in June and July, especially 

 near the sea ; the blossoms are of reddish-purple, and the calyxes furrowed. 

 It is a silky downy looking Clover, long hairs being more or less scattered 



