50 CAEYOPHYLLACE^J. 



We now come to a very extensive order of plants, the 

 fourteenth, in the British list that of the Pink. It includes 

 two tribes, the Pinks proper and the Chickweeds. The plants 

 of this order have five sepals, united in some families, dis- 

 united in others, ten stamens, and a seed-vessel of one cell. 

 In the first tribe the stamens join the stalk below the ovary, 

 or seed-vessel ; and the sepals are united. In the second tribe 

 the stamens are joined in a ring, also below the ovary, and the 

 sepals are free. Both tribes have simple leaves placed opposite 

 each other on the stalks. 



Mr. Ward gave me a specimen of the Deptford Pink (Dian- 

 thus armeria), the flowers of which grow in clusters and are 

 spotted ; they are quite scentless. The plant is occasionally 

 found in waste places. 



I have no specimen of the beautiful rose-coloured Proliferous 

 Pink (D. prolifer). 



I had much difficulty in getting this piece of the Clove Pink, 

 or Gillyflower (D. caryophyllus) . It grows upon the ruined 

 walls of Fountains Abbey ; but visitors are not allowed to 

 touch the flowers. I imparted my great wish for a blossom of 

 the Pink to a very spirited friend who was of our party. 

 She was most anxious to aid me, and began a systematic 

 attack upon the good nature of the guide. Both she and I 

 had visited the place often enough to know all the descriptions 

 by rote, but she suddenly became exceedingly interested in the 

 old story. The guide was charmed to gain so attentive and 

 intelligent a listener, and he presently began to regard her with 

 great favour. Then she made her request, and at once received 

 a number of the desired blossoms as a reward for her diplomacy. 

 This species is the origin of all our garden Pinks from the 

 plain rose and white ones which accompany the Mint and 

 Southernwood in the cottage garden, to the delicately-bordered 

 and variegated blooms which carry off the prizes at flower 

 shows. The Latin name of this family, Dianthus, means 

 " Gift of God," because of the estimation in which these 



