268 UMBELLIFER^]. 



16. BUPLEURUM (Thorow-wax). 



1 . B. rotundifolium (Common Thorow-wax, Hare's-ear). 

 Stem branched above ; leaves roundish, egg-shaped, un- 

 divided, perfoliate ; general bracts wanting, partial ones 

 large, bristle pointed, thrice as long as the flowers. 

 Corn-fields, on a chalky soil. A singular plant, well 

 distinguished by its perfoliate leaves, which have a 

 glaucous hue, and by its large, greenish yellow, partial 

 bracts, which are far more conspicuous than the minute 

 yellow flowers. Fl. July. Annual. 



2. B. tenuissimum (Slender Hare's-ear) is remarkable 

 for its slender, wiry stem, about a foot high, its very 

 narrow undivided leaves, and small umbels of very few, 

 minute, yellowish flowers ; it grows in salt marshes on 

 the south and east coasts of England : B. aristatum 

 (Narrow-leaved Hare's-ear) is a small plant, 3 4 inches 

 high, with pale, rigid leaves > inconspicuous greenish 

 flowers, and large, sharp pointed bracts. It is found 

 nowhere in Great Britain but on the cliffs at Torquay, 

 Devon. 



17. (ENANTH^ (Water Dropwort). 



1. (E. fistulosa (Tubular Water Dropwort). Root 

 sending out runners ; stem-leaves pinnate, shorter than 

 their tubular stalks. Watery places ; not uncommon. 

 Well marked by its tubular stems, leaves, and leaflets. 

 The lower leaves are entirely submersed, and of these 

 the leaflets are flat, but all the rest of the plant consists 

 of a series of tubes. The umbels are of very few rays, 

 which when in fruit are nearly globular. Fl. July, 

 August. Perennial. 



2. (E. crocdta (Hemlock Water Dropwort). Leaves 

 thrice pinnate ; leaflets wedge-shaped, variously cut. 

 Watery places, common. A large and stout plant, 3 5 

 feet high, with clustered, tuberous roots, somewhat like 

 those of the Dahlia, spreading, glossy leaves, and large 

 umbels of white flowers. The plant is popularly known 

 by the name of Water Hemlock, and, being very poison- 



