WALLS, KUINS, ETC. 1-11 



they are conspicuous above the surrounding foliage 

 from the number of yellowish flowers with prominent 

 green stamens, not unlike the mignonette. The stem 

 is branched. "What is termed Wild Mignonette 

 grows commonly on chalky hills. It is the Base 

 llocket {Reseda luted). Its spike is broader, the 

 flowers more yellow, and the leaves cleft instead of 

 undivided like the dyer's weed. 



Eound the villages on many a waste spot, we shall 

 find the pretty Soapwort (Saponaria officinalis), with 

 its large clusters of pale pink flowers. It grows some 

 twelve inches high, and the stem appears to run through 

 its double, smooth, narrow leaves. Its bitter juice 

 makes a sort of lather with warm water. The Holy 

 Vervain (Verlcna officinalis) Holy Herb, Simpler's 

 Joy is also common near houses. It is a long slender- 

 branched plant, with few leaves, and the small bluish- 

 lilac blossoms form a spike at the termination of each 

 D ranch. The virtues of this herb are but few, but it 

 appears to have been held in reverence for many 

 centuries. The Thorn Apple {Datura stramonium} 

 is sometimes found, with its rough leaves, and white 

 bell-shaped flowers, which the leaves shield tenderly 

 at night. Its curious ovate prickly fruit, from which 



