233 



THE CLIFFS AND SEA-SHOEB. 



A S the autumn comes on we still find the pink 

 flowers of the Sea-Thrift in bloom, and several 

 kinds of Sea-Southernwood are in bloom. On both 

 the southern and north-western coasts the Samphire 

 (Criihmwm, maritimum), renowned by Shakespeare, is 

 yet gathered for pickling purposes, and a very good 

 pickle it makes. Its thick leaves and small greenish- 

 white flowers may be found throughout the summer 

 on the cliiFs, above high-water mark. The name is 

 a contraction of Sampeter, and it was known as St. 

 Peter's or the Fisherman herb. Sometimes the Com- 

 mon Saltwort (Salicornia herbacea) is sold as samphire, 

 and it is frequently pickled. It is composed entirely 

 of jointed fleshy tubes, and at the base of each tube 

 grows the flower-stalks and three green flowers. The 

 plant is semi-transparent, and was much used formerly 

 in the making of kelp, as well as the Prickly .Saltwort 

 (Salsola Icali), whose sharp angular stem has cut many 

 & hasty finger. The small green flowers grow singly, 

 and have three small green leaves at their base. 



On the waste places and mud-banks near the sea- 



