304 BY THE DEEP SEA. 



slender, awl-shaped, unequal in size. Petals fine, bright rosy ; 

 anthers yellow. Flowers June to September. 



Like conditions of life often produce similar effects on 

 different organisms. Growing close to the Sea-Milkwort, just 

 above high-water mark, and continuing thence some distance 

 up the cliffs, is the Samphire (Crithmum maritimuiri), with 

 similar woody rootstock similarly wedged in rock crevices, and 

 with all its parts thickened. The glaucous leaves are cut up 

 into cylindrical fleshy segments, and the yellow flowers are 

 borne in clusters, the fleshy stalks of the individual blossoms 

 radiating from a common centre like the ribs of an umbrella. 

 It may be unnecessary to explain that this type of flower- 

 cluster is characteristic of the Natural Order Umbelliferse, to 

 which the Samphire belongs, and that it is to the same order 

 that such well-known plants as carrot, hogweed, fool's-parsley, 

 and celery belong. Samphire is much sought for pickling, 

 and this has led to its extermination on many parts of the 

 coast. It flowers from June to September. 



Fennel (Foeniculum officinale) is another seaside umbellifer, 

 and its tall, straight, and polished stems may be found grow- 

 ing up the face of the cliffs, the much-divided feathery leaves 

 producing a green cloud-like effect. The same glaucous tint 

 characterises the whole plant, except that the flowers are 

 yellow. July and August are the months in which it may be 

 found in blossom. 



One other umbelliferous plant that is strictly confined to the 

 shore is the so-called Sea-Holly (Eryngiuin maritiinuui] , though 

 this must be sought not on the rocky cliffs, but on sandy 

 shores. Its dense heads of pale-bluish flowers without a 

 stalk nestle close to the broad and spiny-edged glaucous 

 leaves (glaucous again), that bear a wonderful primd facie 

 resemblance to those of the unrelated holly-tree. It flowers in 

 July and August, but the plant is easily recognised out of its 

 flowering season by means of the bold leaves. 



But the glory of cliff vegetation to my mind is the beautiful 



