Sy THE ttiVER SIDE 21? 



Passing now to the order Polygonacece \vc have to note the Great 

 Water Dock (Rumex Hydrolapathum) — a smooth plant, varying from 

 three to six feet in height, much resembhng other Common Docks in 

 general appearance, but found ahnost always on the borders of 

 streams and ponds. Its leaves are lanceolate in form, usually 

 pointed, and either flat or slightly cm-led at the margins. The upper 

 ones taper down into the stalk ; but the lower ones, which are 

 from one to two feet long, are often heart-shaped at the base. 

 The reddish-green flowers are closely-whorled, and form long 

 panicles. The perianth is cleft into six parts, of which the 

 three outer are smaller and covered with little tubercles, while the 

 inner become enlarged and close over the triangular fruit. Each 

 flower has six stamens and tliree very short styles. This plant is 

 in flower during July and August. 



A few species of Willows and Sallows that grow on the banks of 

 streams belong to the order Salicacece,eind have the following features 

 in common : — Their leaves are simple, stipulate, and deciduous. 

 The flowers are imperfect, in erect catkins with small scales 

 at the base, the male and the female flowers being produced 

 on separate trees or slirubs. Each male flower consists only 

 of a small scale and two or more stamens ; and the female 

 of a similar scale, and a conical ovary of one cell wdtli a forked 

 style. The fruit is a conical capsule of two valves, containing 

 several seeds that are covered with white, silky hairs. The species 

 referred to are the Almond-leaved and the Bay-leaved Willows, 

 the Dark-leaved Sallow, and the Piu-ple Osier, but we refrain from 

 introducing descriptions since the identification of these trees is 

 somewhat difficult for a beginner. 



