THE CLIFFS AND SEA-8HORH. 199 



open habit of growth. I have found it in the very 

 centre of England, and on the wildest portion of the 

 south coast of Ireland. 



Another cliff flower is the strongly-scented Notting- 

 ham Catchfly (Silene nutans). Its white flowers, 

 jagged petals, and brown-streaked flower-cups, mark 

 the plant. The flowers, however, do not open until 

 evening. They grow in clusters on a stem about a 

 foot high, not only on many parts of the coast, but 

 about Nottingham : hence its name. 



A little later and we may find the handsome Sea- 

 Lavender (Statice limonium.) Its bluish-lilac flowers 

 grow in branched tufts, or corymbs, and are nearly 

 level at the head. Its long glossy leaves turn back at 

 the point. The angular stem is frequently two feet 

 high. Notwithstanding its similarity of appearance 

 to the garden lavender, it is but 



" The sea-lavender ' which lacks perfume.' " 



The island of Steep Holmes, in the Bristol Channel, 

 is the only known place where the Peony (Fceonia 

 corallina) grows wild. Here, too, and in one or two 

 other places, may be found the purplish- coloured 

 blossoms of the Sea-Mallow (Lavatera arlor.ea). 



