274 PLANTS OP SALT-MARSHES. 



among the rarer species, the former being, perhaps, 

 scarcely a genuine wild plant. Where the coast is 

 muddy, another genus of this family, Cochlearia, or 

 Scurvy-grass, makes its appearance. Of this genus there 

 are five British species, one of which is the Horse-radish. 

 All cruciferous plants have anti-scorbutic qualities, and 

 perhaps there is not any unwholesome plant in the 

 order. Many are used for food, and all those that have 

 soft and fleshy leaves and succulent roots, like the Tur- 

 nip and Radish, are suitable for that purpose. The 

 species are widely dispersed through temperate climates, 

 but very rare in hot countries ; and they are eight times 

 more numerous in the northern than in the southern 

 hemisphere. Many are now dispersed, through the 

 agency of man, to every climate. 



Salt-marshes near the coast have their peculiar vege- 

 tation. Coarse Sedges and Rushes grow in the wetter 

 places, mixed with patches of Aster, whose purple 

 flowers enliven the otherwise dreary and dismal scene. 

 Various smaller plants are scattered in drier places. 

 The Thrift or Sea-pink (Armeria maritima), and the 

 different kinds of Sea-lavender (Statice) are peculiarly 

 gay, growing wherever the mud becomes hardened. The 

 former is not confined to such places, but often forms 

 extensive patches or continuous soft cushions along the 

 margin of the sea, and in May bears a profusion of its 

 pretty pink flowers, which continue opening for the two 

 following months. The Thrift is met with again on the 

 summits of mountains, at a distance from the sea ; but 

 is not commonly found in intermediate places, except 

 occasionally on the banks of large inland lakes. Some 



