68 WILD FLOWERS 



that of the Tufted Vetch, and there are only a few flowers in 

 the shortly stalked tufts: the leaves have about 6 pairs of 

 narrowly ovate leaflets, with sharp points, and are provided with 

 stipules and tendrils : the flowers, which are dull purple (rarely 

 white), appear in summer. 



145. Tuberous Vetchling, Lathyrus montanus, Vetch family. 

 The stem is slender and prostrate : the leaves have 2 to 3 pairs 

 of narrow elliptical leaflets, are provided with stipules, but are 

 without tendrils, the tip of the leaf being occupied by a short 

 point : the flower stalks, arising in the axils of the leaves, are 

 long and slender, with 3 to 4 flowers : the flowers are rich or 

 sometimes pale purple in colour and appear in summer : the 



145. Tuberous Vetchling. 



146. Hemp-Agrimony. 



plant has a tuberous root, and is common in heathy woods and 

 pastures, and on moors. 



146. Hemp- Agrimony, Eupatorium canndbinum, Daisy family. 

 An ancient "simple," this fine plant grows in moist places 

 along stream sides : the stem is 1 to 3 it. high, with pairs of 

 leaves so deeply cut as to be almost compound : the lobes are 

 3 to 5 in number, and are serrate : the small flower-heads are 

 massed in a large, flat inflorescence of a dull purple colour: 

 flowers in late summer and autumn. 



147. Spear Thistle, Cnicus lanceolatus, Daisy family. The 

 national flower of Scotland is onlv too common in pastures 

 and waste ground : it owes its wiue distribution to the fact 

 that the numerous little fruits are each provided with a very 

 efficient float the pappus by means of which the wind can 

 scatter them far and wide : the tall stem is clothed with oblong, 



