EY THE BIYJEfi, AND THE STREAMLET. 185 



insipid leaves also distinguish the plant, which seems 

 to be fond of deeper water than either the brooklime 

 or the watercress. 



Frequently by the side of ponds and rivers we may 

 meet with the Celery-leaved Crowfoot (Itanunculw 

 sceleratus). This acrid plant has a branched succulent 

 stem, much-cut leaves, and small yellow flowers. 



The pale flesh-coloured flowers of the Great Valerian 

 (Vahriana ojficinalis) which grow in a cluster, raise 

 their heads some two to four feet high. Its lanceo- 

 late leaves are uniformly cut into segments. It is one 

 of the few plants that the herbalist and the doctor 

 use alike. It has some reputation as a potherb under 

 the name of setewall. The love of eats and even rats 

 for the plant is remarkable : its influence over them 

 seems uncontrollable. A similar-looking plant is the 

 Hemp Agrimony (Eupatoriim cannabinum) . Its dull 

 pinkish flowers, greyish foliage, irregularly cut leaves, 

 will enable any one to distinguish the two. The vale- 

 rian is a solitary plant, while the hemp agrimony loves 

 to grow in a cluster. 



Early summer sees the somewhat rare "Water Violet 

 (Hottonia palustris) in bloom. It is known under 

 the name of featherfoil, from its foliage, which floatc 



