66 ENGLISH BOTANY. 



Kent, Essex, Cambridge, Suffolk, &c., but apparently less abundant 

 ill the north, although Mr. "Norman first noticed it at Scaham in 

 Durhiim. I have not seen Irish specimens, but have found it at North 

 Berwick and Haddington. 



England, Scotland. Annual. Late Summer, Autumn. 



Stems 3 inches to 1 foot long, usually prostrate, and with very 

 short internodes. The leaves, especially at tlie extremity of the 

 branches, are quite crowded together, the longest not more than ^ inch 

 long, and frequently smaller. Flowers not more than -^^ inch long, 

 green, with the segments Avhite, tinged with green. The nut tapers 

 more gradually than in the two jjreceding forms, but it is quite 

 probable that its peculiarities are merely the consequence of the cir- 

 cumstances of its growth. 



FORM lY.— Polygonum (aviculare) microspermuin. Jord. 



P. microspermum, Jord. Bor. Fl. clu Ceutr. de la Fr. Vol. II. p. 5G0. Norm. 1. c. 

 p. 142. 



Stem slender, prostrate ; tlie branches spreading or ascending. 

 Leaves oblong or strapshaped-oblanceolate, about as long as the inter- 

 nodes. Ochreee very short, brown, silvery white and at length 

 laciniate at the apex. Perianth indistinctly veined, red, rarely white, 

 very small. Nut rather longer than the perianth, dark chestnut, quite 

 opaque. 



In sandy places. Apparently rare. Mr. Norman records it from 

 Stockton-on-Tees, Durham; Mr. J. G. Baker has found it at Hartley 

 in Northumberland; and I have specimens from the Rev. W. W. 

 Newbould, labelled from " Jersey," and from Mr. H. C. Watson, col- 

 lected between Weybridge town and railway station. 



England. Annual. Late Summer, Autumn. 



Stems very slender. Leaves | to ^- inch long. Flowers solitary or 

 in pairs. ]*erianth little more than j'j inch long, with the point of 

 the nut projecting slightly beyond it. The nut itself not above 

 y^o inch long, dark coloured, and very dim. 



As I have not seen this form alive, I am unable to say what colour 

 its foliage may be, and I have seen too few specimens to venture to 

 give any opinion as to its claims to be considered a subspecies, though 

 its very small flowers and nuts may perhaps entitle it to be considered 

 diiituict from the other forms of P. aviculare. 



