CEESSWOETS PEPPEEWOETS. 29 



How valuable would this simple rule of botany have been which 

 makes the cross-shaped flower and bractless stalk an ensign of 

 safety, an invitation to eat and live ! Surely, without too fanciful 

 a straining of metaphors, we may see here an indication of a more 

 holy mystery, a greater benefaction to humanity, where the cross 

 is raised over all created things, whether upon the earth or above 

 the earth, and by the power of Him who hung upon it the curse 

 of sickness and death is taken away, and health of the entire 

 nature, both physical and spiritual, established for eternity. 



The Cressworts have two different kinds of seed-vessels, a 

 pouch and a pod. The tiny Rock Hutchinsia stands first in 

 the pouch group ; it is a fairy-like plant with pinnate leaves, 

 and a spike of minute white flowers, its whole stature not 

 exceeding from an inch to an inch and a half. I cannot say 

 that I found it wild, for it was growing upon the wall of a 

 botanic garden ; but Mr. Ward, the proprietor, had taken the 

 seed from wild specimens. 



The same botanist furnished me with a specimen of the 

 Penny Cress (Thlaspi arvense), which I afterwards found in 

 abundance in corn fields near Eoss, Herefordshire. Its flowers 

 are also insignificant ; but its large pouches are very striking. 

 There are an alpine and a perfoliate Penny Cress, but I have 

 not found either. 



The Shepherd's Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), is a well- 

 known weed ; its compact spike of heart-shaped pouches forms 

 a neat object, and adorns the dusty road-side and neglected 

 pavement, as well as the borders of fields and lanes. 



The Teesdalia is a plant as small as the Hutchinsia, with a 

 leafless stalk and entire leaves. We have none of us been 

 able to procure specimens. 



The Pepperworts are a large family. The Broad-leaved Pep- 

 perwort (Lepidium latifolium), is a wand-like plant. It was sent 

 to me from Scarborough, where it flourishes on swampy ground. 



Fanny found the Hairy Pepperwort (L. hirtum), growing 

 freely on the Chough Eock, one of the many beautiful cliffs 



