THE LAST OF THE FLOWERS 83 



points instead of four. The common centaury is a kindred 

 plant which is often called the purple gentian, and is also 

 found in September, though it belongs more properly to 

 August. This is more spreading in growth, and has larger 



AUTUMN GENTIAN 



tufts of smaller lilac-pink blossoms. The corolla is cloven 

 into five segments, like that of the autumnal gentian ; but 

 the whole plant is smaller and more branching, and is easily 

 distinguishable, apart from the confusion caused by its popular 

 name. Much like the centaury in general growth and closely 



