THE CLIFFS AKD SEA-SHOTIB. 197 



somewhat muddy, the Teazle-headed Trefoil (Trifoliutn 

 maritimuni) will be found. Its small pale red flowers 

 form a round teazle-like head. The Starry -headed 

 Trefoil (Trifolium stellatiim) is distinguished by the 

 star-like flower of the calyx, when the small yellowish- 

 grey flowers are departed. It is not unfrequent on 

 the south coast. In the salt marsh the Tassel Grass 

 (Ruppia maritimd) may sometimes be found where the 

 water forms a stagnant pool. It is hardly a flowering 

 plant, but its greenish flowers appear above the sur- 

 face, to ripen its pollen, about midsummer, after which 

 its branched stem and thread-like leaves are again 

 submerged. 



The Sea Milkwort (Gflaux maritima), or, as it is 

 sometimes called, Black Saltwort, grows in muddy 

 places, some four inches high. Its pale pink flowers 

 are dotted with black, and its leaves smooth and fleshy. 

 The Sea-Sandwort (Arenaria maritimd) is also common. 



" Among the loose and arid sands 



The humble arenaria creeps ; 

 Slowly the purple star expands, 

 Bat soon within the calyx; sleeps." 



The sea-sandwort, however, has pale lilac flowers, 

 which grow plentifully on its slender creeping stems, 



