THE FLORA 123 



Sedum, L. 



S. roseum, Scop. Roseroot. (Lus-nan-Laoch.) Clefts and 

 ledges of the sea-rocks of the northern shore. Per., May. The 

 root, which furnishes an astringent, has the fragrance of a rose, 

 particularly when dried. W. The badge of the Clan Gunn. 



S. anglicum, Huds. Stonecrop. Garbhan Creige. 

 Abundant. Pounded together with groundsel, it was used 

 to reduce swellings, particularly on horses. Per., July. It 

 was formerly eaten as a salad, and considered a delicacy. 

 C. Locally also known by the younger people as Biadh 

 Seangain ; Biadh-an-t-Sionnaich. 



S. acre, L. Wall Pepper; Biting Stonecrop. Grafan- 

 nan-Clach, C. Not uncommon in sandy and rocky situa- 

 tions round the shores. Per., June. 



DROSERACE.E (the Sundew family) 

 A small order, confined in Britain to the following genus. 



Drosera, L. 



Insectivorous plants (perennials) obtaining their nitrogen 

 from the bodies of insects which they assimilate. The 

 upper surface of the leaves is clothed with curious viscid 

 hairs, each terminated by a small gland. These glands 

 secrete a sticky fluid, to which small insects that are 

 attracted to the plants adhere. The irritation set up by 

 their struggles to free themselves causes the leaves to close 

 up, effectively imprisoning their tiny victims. After they 

 are assimilated, the leaves, often encumbered with skeletons 

 of those already digested, open out to entrap more insects. 



D. rotundifolia, L. Sundew. Lus-na-Fearnaich. Abun- 

 dant in peat-bogs. July. The whole plant is acrid, and suffi- 

 ciently caustic to erode the skin ; but some ladies mix the 



