170 WILD FLOWERS OP SUMMER. 



pinnate, distinguish it from the foregoing. The plant 

 was formerly used as a vulnerary, and was sold as such 

 in the herb markets. 



All around us we may see the tall stems of the 

 Sorrel, with its ruddy whorls of flowers. The flower- 

 stems are not attractive, and we all know the grateful 

 acidity of the foliage. The larger variety (Eumex 

 acetosa) is the green sauce of boyhood, and is common 

 in meadows ; the smaller (Eumex acetosella) frequents 

 dry pastures, but its acidity is not so strong. It is the 

 sour grass of Irish children, and either forms a grateful 

 addition to the salad bowl. 



If the land is poor, the Yellow Battle (EUnanfhm 

 crista-galli) is almost sure to be present, with its yellow 

 flowers, and narrow, oblong, serrated leaves growing 

 down the rigid stem, which is often speckled with black. 

 The plant is parasitic, and derived its name of rattle 

 grass from its seed-vessels, in which the seeds rattle 

 when shaken by the wind. 



Karely, however, shall we find the meadow Pinks. 

 The Deptford Pink (Dianthus armeria) is perhaps the 

 most common. Its rose-coloured blossoms, spotted 

 with white, grow in clusters. It has no scent, but is 

 easily recognized as a pink by its grass-like foliage. 



