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FAMILIAR WILD FLOWERS. 



circular form in cross-section. At the base of these larger 

 segments, and exterior to them, are a few much smaller 

 ones. 



Though it is questioned by some observers, a second 

 species is ordinarily recognised. It is called the dwarf 

 nipplewort, or Lapsana pusilla. The specific name is a 

 Latin word, and signifies little, or mean. The plant only 

 grows to a height of some six or seven inches ; its flower- 

 heads are bright yellow, and share in the general diminutive 

 character of the parts. We do not remember to have ever 

 specially noticed the plant, though nippleworts, little and 

 big, have been familiar enough to us for many a long year. 

 Mere smallness is scarcely sufficient to pay much regard to, 

 and the specific features given by those writers that admit 

 it, all appear unimportant. As we do not ourselves know 

 the plant we offer no opinion on the matter, for in such 

 a case nothing but familiarity with the natural form is of 

 any value. 



