WAYSIDE WEEDS. 



CHAPTEE XXVII. 



Fig. 75. FLOWER OF ARISAKVM. 



NOT all of our Northern weeds are able to endure the 

 Summer on the Riviera. But we recognise most of 

 the grasses. The Shepherd's Purse (Capsella) also 

 defies the heat and drought. Plantain (Plantago), 

 again, and Nettle, with the Dock (Rumex), its 

 antidote ; Milfoil and Clover, and the vulgar tribe of 

 Hawkweeds (Hieraciuni) ; the tough Sisymbrium with 

 its appressed pods ; these and some others appear to 

 be fire-proof, as they are indifferent to frost and snow. 

 The humble Knot-Grass (Polygonum aviculare), 

 though spread over the habitable world, objects to 

 spend the Summer in Nice (sensible plant), for I 

 presume the Winter is not too much for its constitu- 

 tion. P. aviculare is represented by a perennial 

 species which Ardoino call P. Romanum. 



The Daisy (Bellis] is as common here as in the 

 North, but the Dandelion ( Taraxacum) does not seem 

 quite at home. Its place is occupied to a great 

 extent by the Urosperm. This Composite is of a 

 much less glaring tint ; the dark brown centre relieves 

 the monotony of the yellow ; the same rich colour is 

 repeated in the border of each floret ; and the neatly 

 fitting involucre adds to the effect. The pappus, 

 while yet unripe, is not unlike a paint-brush. By the 



