36 



FAMILIAR WILD FLOWERS. 



the other plants of the hedgerow, or running- up dahlia 

 or raspberry stakes in the garden, are a very characteristic 

 feature. The amphibious persicaria (P. amphibiiim} is 

 another species of frequent occurrence. It is ordinarily 

 found near the margins of lakes or ditches; its floating 

 leaves and spikes of bright rose-coloured blossoms are 

 features that will aid in its identification. The water- 

 pepper (P. hydropiper], so called from its acrid taste, is 

 frequently to be met with by the side of water ; though 

 very similar to the common species, the plant figured 

 in our plate, it is considerably more slender-looking, and 

 smaller in all its parts. 



