56 CABYOPHYLLACEJE. 



The Pearlwort Spurrey frequents the Scotch mountains. 

 We have no specimens. 



At once the prettiest and most troublesome of the family is 

 the Corn Spurrey (S. arvensis). Its flowers are in a forked 

 cluster, with frills of narrow leaves round the stem at every 

 joint. Hooker says that it is cultivated and much esteemed in 

 Holland. But on this point Dutch and English taste seem at 

 variance ; for here it is considered a troublesome weed, and in 

 Norfolk it has the name of " Pickpocket." 



And now we come to the true Chickweeds, the darlings of 

 birds, though the despised of man. But we may claim interest 

 even for the common Chickweed (Stellaria me*dia), because it 

 was in observing this plant that Linnaeus detected what he 

 called the "sleep of plants." The pairs of leaves contract 

 towards evening, and enfold the buds ; they do the same before 

 rain, and, if it be heavy, it is long ere they open again. It 

 must be of such small flowers as these that Bulwer says 



" Wearied children on earth's gentle breast, 

 In every nook the little field flowers rest." 



The clear white flowers of the Greater Stitchwort (S. holo- 

 stea, Plate IV., jig. 8), are a familiar ornament of the hedge- 

 rows in June and July, inviting the eager hands of flower- 

 loving children, and disappointing them as surely by its speedy 

 fading. 



The Smaller Stichwort (S. graminea), is also common. Its 

 stem is not rough, like that of the G-reater one, but smooth and 

 bright green, and the leaves are grass-shaped. Its slender 

 white petals, cloven to the base, are relieved by crimson anthers. 

 It grows among bushes in damp places in hilly districts. 



The Wood Stitchwort (S. nemorum), I gathered on Brignall 

 banks, near Eokeby. The steep wood was gay with the thou- 

 sand white stars produced by this plant, which gleamed from a 

 background of their own abundant pale green foliage. Here 

 the leaves are broad and large, forming a great contrast to the 

 last species. 



