116 ICOSANDRIA POLYGYNIA. 



answering, in some measure, the purposes of bread, they 

 having been known to support the inhabitants for months 

 together, during a scarcity of other provisions. LIGHT- 

 FOOT. 



2. P. verna^ stems procumbent ; radical leaves of 5 or 7 obo- 

 vate-wedge-shaped, partly serrated, furrowed leaflets, hairy at the 

 margins and ribs beneath ; upper stipulas dilated ; flowers yel- 

 low. Spring Cinquefoil. 



Hab. Spindlestone Hills, Northumberland, plentiful. May. 



3. P. reptans, stem creeping; leaflets 5, obovate, serrated; 

 stalks axillary, single flowered ; flower yellow. Creeping Cinque- 

 foil. 



Hob. Road-sides and borders of fields. June-Aug. I/. 



4. P. fragariastrum, stems prostrate; leaves ternate, leaflets 

 roundish-obovate, serrated, hairy ; flowers small, white ; seeds 

 corrugated, hairy at the scar. Strawberry -leaved Cinquefoil. 



Hab. Dry gravelly banks, frequent. April. 14 



155. TORMENTILLA. 



1. T. officinalis, stem ascending, branched ; leaves almost ses- 

 sile, ternate ; leaflets oblong acute, deeply serrated ; stipulas 

 cut ; flowers small, yellow. Common Tormentil. 



Hab. Barren pastures and heaths. June, July. I/. 



The root is very astringent ; and, in several northern coun- 

 tries, is gathered for the purpose of tanning. Indeed it 

 is asserted that it contains a larger proportion of the tan- 

 ning principle than any other wood or bark, a pound and 

 a half of tormentil being equal to seven pounds of oak- 

 bark. It is used medicinally. 



2. T. reptans, stem prostrate, scarcely branched ; leaves stalk- 

 ed, ternate ; leaflets obovate, toothed ; stipulas undivided ; 

 flowers rather large, yellow. Trailing Tormentil. 



Hab. " Heathy ground, a mile north of Coldingham ; 

 Little Swinton Bogs, Berwickshire," Rev. A. Baird. 

 June, July. 1]. 



