VERNAL WOOD-RUSH. 70 



slender and taller. Capsule pointed. Shady places on chalk or gravel, not farther 

 north than South Wales and Oxford. April to June. 



III. Field Wood-rush (L . campestris). Rootstock creeping. Leaves very hairy. 

 Perianth segments longer than the broad rounded and spiked capsule. Flowers in 

 dense clusters of three or four, in short cymes. Heaths and pastures. April to 

 June. 



IV. Spiked Mountain Wood-rush (L. spicata). This and the next are purely 

 mountain species, restricted to an altitude of one to over four thousand feet for spicata, 

 and from three to over four thousand for arcuata. The leaves are narrow, leathery, 

 and the hairiness is confined to the lower end. Flowers smaller than the silvery, 

 chaffy, awned scales (bracteoles) below them. The perianth segments end in awns, 

 and are longer than the abruptly-pointed capsule. The cymes are densely flowered, 

 drooping and spike-like. Flowers in July. 



V. Curved Mountain Wood-rush (Z/. arcuata). The smallest, rarest, and most 

 distinct of our native species. The stems do not exceed about 4 inches, and are 

 proportionately stout. Rootstock creeping. Leaves short, narrow, leathery, slightly 

 hairy. Flowers dark brown, three to five hi a cluster, in lax cymes ; the perianth 

 segments extended into a point. Bracteoles pointed, not awned, not silvery. Moun- 

 tains in Scotland only. July. 



The Greater Dodder (Cuscuta europaa). 



There are two Dodders indigenous to this country, and we 

 have the misfortune to have introduced a third with flax-seed 

 from abroad. The one figured is the Greater Dodder, which is 

 usually found clinging in a tangle round the stems of nettles, 

 oats, thistles, vetches, etc. This close embrace is sinister in 

 character, for, as may be guessed from the entire absence of 

 leaves and green-colouring matter, the plant is a parasite. Its 

 stem is a mere thread, varying from red to yellow in hue, and 

 having at frequent intervals bunches of reddish flowers. These 

 are very small, but if separated will be found to consist of a 

 four- or five-parted calyx, a persistent pitcher-shaped corolla of 

 similar parts, and stamens to match. Styles two, entirely 

 within the flower. This species is not found north of Yorkshire, 

 and is everywhere rare. It flowers from July to September. 

 The common species, to be found growing on thyme, heather, 

 and furze, is, 



The Lesser Dodder (C. e$ithymum), with finer stems of a more crimson tint, and 



