THE FLORA 303 



POLYGALACEJ: (the Milkwort family) 

 A small order with bitter and astringent qualities, and a 

 milky juice in the root. The American Snake Root is used 

 for chronic bronchitis and asthma, and was a reputed antidote 

 against the poison of snakes. 



Poly gala, Linn. 



P. vulgaris, L. Common Milkwort. Lus - a' - Bhainne. 

 Recorded by Mr Miller. Per. 



P. serpyllacea, Weihe. Siabunn-nam-Ban-Slth. Com- 

 mon on dry heaths and pastures. When rubbed between 

 the hands a lather is formed, hence the local name. Per. 

 June. 



CAROPHYLLACE.E (the Pink family) 



The British species of the order are numerous, and easily 

 recognised by their general habit, swollen nodes, and opposite 

 leaves. They are generally found in dry situations. Many, 

 as the Soapwort (Lus-an-t-Siabuinn), are pervaded by a 

 saponaceous principle, but they are usually devoid of active 

 properties. The various species of Dianthus Carnations, 

 Pinks, Sweet- William, etc. alone would raise this family 

 to a position of no mean ornamental value. 



Silene, L. 



Certain species of this numerous genus are known as 

 Catchflies, from the fact that they are coated with sticky 

 hairs to which small kinds of flies and other insects adhere. 



S. maritima, With. Sea Campion. Sea-rocks, northern 

 shore. Although one of the showiest of our earliest summer 

 flowers, no local name has been discovered for it. Per., June. 



S. noctiflora, L. Night-flowering Catchfly. A cornfield 

 weed. Recorded by Mr Grieve. 



S. dichotoma. Vacant ground, Kiloran. An alien that 



