SPURGE TRIBE. 555 



robust habit, and the red tinge of its stems and leaves i 

 E. Ldthyris (Caper Spurge), a tall herbaceous species, 

 2 4 feet high, common in gardens, is remarkable for 

 the glaucous hue of its foliage, its heart-shaped, taper- 

 pointed bracts, and very large capsules, which abound 

 to a great degree, as well as the rest of the plant, in the 

 milky, acrid fluid found throughout the family. 



* * Glands of the involucre not pointed. 



2. E. Jielioscopia (Sun Spurge). Umbel of 5 rays, 

 which often are repeatedly forked ; leaves oblong, taper- 

 ing towards the base, serrated above ; capsule smooth. 

 Cultivated ground, abundant. Varying in size from a 

 few inches to 2 feet in height, but easily distinguished 

 by the golden-green hue of its spreading umbel, which 

 is large in proportion to the size of the plant, and has 

 several serrated leaves at its base. Fl. July, August. 

 Annual. 



* E. platyphylla (Water Spurge) is a rare species, 

 which might be mistaken for a small specimen of E. 

 helioscdpia ; it is, however, well marked by having its 

 leaves slightly hairy beneath, and its capsules rough 

 with warts at the back : E. Peplis (Purple Spurge) is 

 peculiar to the sandy sea-shore ; it grows quite flat on 

 the sand, sending out several branches at right angles 

 to the root, in a circular manner ; the whole plant is of 

 a beautiful purple hue. Several other species of Spurge 

 are described by British botanists, but they are either 

 very rare, or not considered indigenous. 



2. MERCURIALTS (Mercury). 



1. M. perennis (Dog's Mercury). Perennial ; stem 

 simple ; leaves stalked, roughish. Woods and shady 

 places, abundant. A common, woodland, herbaceous 

 plant ; sending up from its creeping roots numerous 

 undivided stems about a foot high. Each stem bears 

 several pairs of rather large, roughish leaves, and 



