196 FAMILIAR FEATURES OF THE ROADSIDE. 



the involucre) under the magnifying glass ; if these 

 are white, obtuse, and rounded, radiating with age, 

 the flower is that of the pearly species ; if they are 

 ovate and oblong but still obtuse, the flower is one of 

 the species Gnaphalium polycephalum ; if they are 

 yellowish white, oval, and pointed, the flower is that 

 of G. decurrens. Other differences 

 between the three species, all of 

 which are common on our 

 roadsides which pass the hill- 

 side pastures, are these : G. 

 polycephalum grows from one 

 to three feet high and is fra- 

 grant ; its leaves are lance-shaped 

 with narrowed base and 

 wavy margins, the upper 

 surface free from wooliness. 

 G. decurrens grows about two 

 feet high, and its narrower leaves 

 partly clasp and extend down the 

 stem ; they are cottony on both sides. 

 The leaves of A. margaritacea are long, 

 lance-shaped, quite green above, and they 

 clasp the stem. 



Another familiar wayside weed, one 

 of those tramps long since arrived from 

 Europe but still " on the road," is elecampane (Inula 



Elecampane. 



