CARYOPHYLI.EA\ 51 



I. SILEXE. Catch-fy. 



Calyx tubular, often ventricose, 5-toothed. Petals 

 .5, clawed, mostly crowned at the mouth, with the 

 limb generally notched or bifid. Capsule 3-celled, 

 6-toothed, many seeded. Hooker. 



Name, supposed to be derived from ova/.ov saliva, in allusion 

 to the vivid moisture on the stalks of many of the species : 

 hence also the English appellation of Catch-fly. 



1. Silene quinquevulnera. Variegated Catch-fly. 



Pubescent, stem ramose, leaves lanceolate, the 

 lower ones obtuse, spike secund, calyx very villous 

 beaked with short teeth, border of the petals subro- 

 tund, appendices bicuspidate De Cand. 



Smith, Engl. Bot. t. 86 De Cand. Prod. I. 372. 



HAB. Neighbourhood of Clifton-Mount. 

 . July. 



The peculiarities of this plant, as naturalized in this climate, 

 are, that the petals are not unfrequently 4 in number, and the 

 pubescence nearly approaches to villosity. It is very common 

 in the neighbourhood of St Catherine's Peak, growing along the 

 sides of the roads. It has, I have no doubt, escaped from the 

 garden established, many years ago, by the late Mr Matthew 

 W alien at Coldspring. This plant is a native of Spain and 

 France, and is to be found in two situations in England. It is 

 frequently cultivated in the gardens of Europe. It derives its 

 Latin specific name, from the deep red spot on each of the pe> 

 tals, resembling a drop of blood. 



II. MOLLUGO. 



Calyx .5 -partite. Petals 0. Stamens 3-5. Styles 

 3. Capsule 3-valved, 3-celled, many-seeded. De 

 Cand. 



Herbaceous. plan ts ; leaves whorled, nearly opposite. Flow- 

 ers solitary, or two together, or umbellated. MOLLUGO, was 

 the name given to a plant, which bears some resemblance to the 

 followin'g species, in its whorled leaves and inconspicuous ap- 

 pearance. 



1. Mollugo verticillata. Whorled African Chick- 

 weed. 



Leaves whorled unequal lineari-lanceolate or obo- 



