50 



WILD FLOWERS 



the stem bears slender compound thorns, which are modified 

 branches : the flowers are fairly large, occurring in loose clusters 

 in early summer : the pods are much swollen when ripe. 

 G. tinctoria, a less common species, without thorns and with 

 elliptic leaves, goes by the name of Dyer's-weed, as it yields a 

 yellow dye. 



98. Furze, Gorse, Whin, Ulex europceus, Vetch family. The 

 Whin is very common on heaths, pastures, and waste places, 

 and lends a note of colour to the country- 

 side in the early months of the year, when 

 it begins to flower : the leaves and many 

 of the branches are reduced to the char- 

 acteristic spines this at the same time 

 preventing loss of much water, and pro- 

 tecting the shrub from browsing animals : 



Furze, Gorse, Whin. 



Wall-Pepper, Biting 

 Stouecrop. 



the large yellow flowers and their peculiar fragrance are familiar 

 to all. 



99. Wall-Pepper, Biting Stonecrop, Sedum acre, Stone- 

 crop family. This little plant is common in dry rocky places : 

 in such situations it is exposed to great drought, but its little, 

 cylindrical, fleshy leaves act as water-stores, and only dry up 

 with great difficulty : if chewed they have a flavour of pepper : 

 the flowers are star-like and yellow, appearing in summer. 



