THE FLOEAL WOELD AND GAEDEN GUIDE. 



15* 



a number of insignificant yellowish-green flowers. A more remark- 

 able species is the Bird's-nest Orchid, Listera nidus-avis, which has 

 a weird aspect, and once seen will never be forgotten. The flowers 

 and the flower-stem are of a dingy brown hue — a flower for witches 

 much more than fairies. The root repeats in a more complex form 

 the character of the Meadow orchis, consisting of tubers which pro- 

 duce young plants in the following season. 



The Military Orchis, O. militaris, is an inhabitant of chalky hills, 

 and common in the midland counties, wherever such hills occur. 

 It closely resembles the Monkey Orchis, but has more colour, the 

 helmet being of a pale ash colour, the tip rosy purple, with spots. 



Everywhere now we see upon shady banks the lovely white 

 flowers of the great Stitch-wort, Stellaria holostea, which may be 

 called a large and grand edition of the common duckweed, with a 

 capacity for climbing, for it towers up amongst robuster plants by 

 the aid of its rough leaves and stems. At the slightest touch the 



COMMON KNOT-GRASS MAGNIFIED. 



A, side view; o, perianth; b, membranous bracts. B, front view ; 

 a, triple styles. C, stjle much magnified. 



stem snaps asunder ; hence it is often called by country people, 

 ' : All-bones : " it also bears the name of "Cuckoo-flower;" indeed, 

 we have several so-called Cuckoo-flowers — a sufficient answer to 

 such as protest that vulgar names are enough, and Latin names 

 more bother than they are worth. Mixed with it, perhaps, may be 

 the glorious flowers of the Garlic Treacle Mustard, Sisymhrium 

 alliaria, a coarse plant, with large, light-green, heart-shaped leaves 

 acutely toothed, and terminal heads of small, white, cruciferous 

 flowers. If any doubt about the plant when you find it, taste a bit ; 

 you will find it pungent, and the odour of garlic is unmistakeable if 

 the plant is brushed over with the hand. 



In the field paths, the Knot-grass, Polygonum aviculare, is now 

 showing a few of its pretty pink flowers, a member of the Persicaria 

 order ; a troublesome plant to the farmer, but making some amends 

 by its nutritious qualities and the partiality of sheep for it. On 

 old walls and on rocks may be found the Yellow Fumitary, or 

 Common Corydalis, Corydulis lutea, which is also a favourite on the 



May. 



