SHEPHERD'S PURSE. 

 Capsella Bursa-pastoris Moench. 



PRELIMINARY. 



THIS plant, chosen to represent the highest develop- 

 ment of plant life, is of European origin, but has 

 become abundant in this country and elsewhere, being 

 one of those vigorous foreign species which hasten to 

 take possession of any cleared or cultivated land. It is 

 found everywhere around dwellings, and in fields and 

 waste grounds. It has not only the advantage of uni- 

 versal distribution, but also of continuous growth 

 throughout most of the year, even a few warm days in 

 winter calling it into bloom. One who does not already 

 know the plant can recognize it from the fact that it is a 

 low, quite insignificant herb,varying in height from five to 

 fifty centimeters (two inches to a foot or two), with a ro- 

 sette of rather narrow jagged root-leaves often lying flat 

 upon the ground, much smaller scattered stem-leaves, 

 and very small white flowers constantly opening at the 

 summit of the branches, and producing small triangular 

 rather heart-shaped pods below (see fig. 6). It is most 

 abundant in spring and early summer, but can be found 

 in bloom throughout the warm months, and may be 

 grown in the green-house for use in winter. 



