144 FAMILIAR WILD FLOWERS. 



flower, a sufficient indication, as it is much larger and 

 rounder in form in the pistillate flowers than in those 

 bearing stamens. Whatever be the nature of the flower, 

 whether pistillate or staminate, both series of parts will be 

 represented; though in the former case the stamens will 

 be abortive and imperfectly developed, while in the latter 

 it is the pistil that is in the imperfect and rudimentary 

 condition. The plant is biennial. 



The red campion is a very similar plant, though in this 

 the petals are a deep pink, and the blossoms are scentless 

 and fully expanded throughout the day. The plant is 

 generally more delicate in form than the somewhat rank- 

 growing white campion, and is commonly rather earlier in 

 its flowering. It is equally abundantly met with, though 

 ordinarily in more shaded and damper situations than 

 those wherein its near relative, the white campion, 

 flourishes. 



