330 FIELD AND WOODLAND PLANTS 



during the autumn months, while a few are truly autumnal, and 

 are not to be found till the summer has nearly or quite passed. 



In corn-fields we may still meet with the beautiful Pheasant's- 

 eye [Adonis auUunnalis). and in fields the Hahy Buttercup [Ranun- 

 culus hirsutus), the Daisy [Bellis perennis) and the Red Hemp-nettle 

 (Galeopsis Ladanum) are yet in flower, while the Annual Meadow 

 Grass [Poa annua) continues to produce new flowers to the end of 

 the year. 



On sunny banks in chalk districts we still see the delicate 

 Rock Rose [Helianthemum vulgare) ; and on banks almost every- 

 where the Wild Clary [Salvia Verhenaca), and the still more hardy 

 ]Milfoil [Achillea millefolium). Knapweeds [Centaurea nigra and 

 C. Scahiosa), Field Scabious [Knautia arvensis). Dark Mullein 

 ( Verbasciim nigrum) and the Toadflax [Linaria vulgaris). 



Then, on downs and heaths we find the Yellow Bedstraw 

 [Galium verum), the crimson flowers of the Fine-leaved Heath 

 [Erica cinerea), and the rose-coloured or white blossoms of the 

 Heather or Ling [Calluna vulgaris) : also the Carline Thistle [Carlina 

 vulgaris), with its inner involucral bracts broadly spreading while 

 the sun shines, but bent inwards to protect the florets dm-ing dull 

 weather when the insects are at rest, the hlac flower-heads of the 

 Devil's-bit Scabious [Scahiosa succisa) and the Small Scabious 

 [S. Columbaria), and the conspicuous flowers of the Chamomile 

 [Anthemis nobilis), all standing out in bold relief against the back- 

 ground of autumnal foliage. 



Still more numerous are the autumn flowers of the waysides. By 

 the dry and dusty roadside we see the 5^ellow flowers and silvery 

 leaves of the Silver-weed [Potentilla anserina), the little starlike 

 flowers of the duckweed [Stellaria media), the yeUow flower-heads 

 of the DandeUon [Taraxacum officinale), Sow Thistle [Sonchus 

 oleraceus) and Groundsel [Senecio vulgaris), the straggling Knot- 

 grass [Polygonum aviculare), the Spotted Persicary [Polygonum 

 Persicaria), the Shepherd's Purse [Capsella Bursa-pastoris), the 

 Scentless Mayweed [Matricaria inodora), the Chamomile [Anthemis 

 nobilis), the White Goose-foot [Chenopodium album), and Oraches 

 [Atriplex hastala and A. patula). Where the soil is more generous 

 we find the Herb Robert [Geranium Robertianum), the Fleabane 

 [Inula dysenterica). Red and White Dead-nettles [Lamium pur- 

 pureum and L. album), and the Petty Spm'ge [Euphorbia Peplus) ; 

 while on old walls the Pellitory [Parietaria officinalis) is still in 

 flower. 



