32 POPULAR GEOGRAPHY OF PLANTS. 



and blossom there as gaily. There are tracts of land co- 

 vered with the common Heath (Erica), the common Jumper 

 growing interspersed. The same plants grow in the stag- 

 nant pools that grow in ours, and the same on their mar- 

 gins as those we see in England ; such as Mare's-tail (Hip- 

 puris vulgaris}, and the blue-flowered, long-leaved Water 

 Speedwell ( Veronica Anagallis] ; Marsh Cinquefoil (Coma- 

 rum palustre), and the little Mudwort (Limosella), with its 

 oar-shaped leaves. 



In the fields the flowers are identical with many of ours : 

 for instance, Shepherd's Purse (Thlaspi (or Capsella) Bursa- 

 pastoris} ; the pretty little Whitlow-grass (Draba, verna) \ 

 Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) ; Wild Thyme (Thymus Serpyl- 

 lum) ; Bagged Hobin (Lychnis Flos-cuculi) ; Corn Spurrey 

 (Spergula arvensis], etc.; two or three kinds of Whortle- 

 berry (Taccinium), and the red Bearberry (Arbutus Uva- 

 ursi). The wild Pea (Pimm maritimum] grows on the sea- 

 shore too, and is used in Iceland as an article of food. 



We must not forget one plant which is of great import- 

 ance in Iceland, not only as an article of food, but as an ar- 

 ticle of commerce, the Lichen called Iceland Moss (Cetra- 

 ria Islandica] ; so great is the value of it to the Icelanders, 

 that the season of gathering it is like a merry harvest-time. 



