FIELD CO^YOTjVUUJS.—Convolvulm 

 arvensis, 



(7/as5 Pentaxdria. Orr/erMoNOGYNiA. Nat.Ord. Convolvulaceje. 

 Convolvulus Tribe. 



One of the prettiest, though certainly one 

 of the most short -Uved of all our twining wild 

 flowers, is the Field Convolvulus, or, as it is 

 often called in country places, the Bear-bind, 

 Withy-wind, or Bindweed. Its botanic name 

 is taken from Convolvo, to entwine ; and 

 those who have noticed its elegant wreaths 

 of leaves and flowers, Avill acknowledge that 

 all these names are significant of its habit. 

 The pink delicate bells have a sweet scent, 

 much like that of almonds. Pretty as this 

 plant is, it is not welcomed by the farmer, 

 for it intrudes itself into all cultivated lands ; 

 winding its tough and curling stems around 

 the corn stalks, catching fast hold of peas or 

 beans, or any plant near it, and sending its 

 perennial and creeping root far into the soil. 

 There the roots grow very fast, throwing out 

 numerous shoots from all parts ; and no care 

 of the agriculturist can prevent their spreading 

 extensively over the field. When it covers a 



Xo. 2. 



