IN THE (JOHN-FIELDS. 131 



rantJius annwts) in sandy fields. Its straggling stems 

 have narrow opposite leaves united at the base. The 

 minute green flowers are in leafy clusters. As the 

 corn begins to ripen, several labiate plants begin to 

 bloom. The Corn Mint (MentJia arvensis) , with its 

 egg-shaped stalk, notched leaves, square stem with 

 whorls of small lilac flowers, is common. Its dis- 

 agreeable odour distinguishes it from, others of the 

 tribe. The Eed Dead Nettle and the Red Hemp 

 Nettle (Galeopsis ladanuin) are very common. The 

 latter has rose-coloured variegated flowers, while the 

 Common Hemp Nettle {Galeopsis tctraliii) has a 

 bristly stem, swelled below the joints, which the red 

 variety has not, and the variegated corolla is princi- 

 pally yellow, or yellowish- white, with a broad purple 

 spot on the lower lip. 



There are many umbelliferous plants in our culti- 

 vated fields, or flourishing along the borders. These 

 plants, so distinct as a family, are difficult to describe 

 individually. The "Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) has a 

 compound umbel of white flowers, in the centre of 

 which is a pink one. The leaves are finely divided, 

 and the plant can be distinguished by the peculiar 

 odour of the root, and by the singular appearance 



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