Cerastiurn.] DECANDRIA — PENTAGYNIA. 189 



0. — Sir J. E. Smith seems to consider this plant peculiar to the neigh- 

 bourhood of Edinburgh ; but I have received specimens corresponding 

 with the Edinburgh plant from the three most opposite points of Eng- 

 land. At the request of my excellent friend ISIr Borrer, I have again 

 considered the opinion I offered in Fl. Scot, that this should not be kept 

 distinct from C. semidecandnim. The number of parts assuredly varies 

 from 4 — 5, and in regard to all the other marks of distinction, it does 

 appear to me that they rest on very slender grounds. The figure in E. 

 Bot., drawn from a cultivated specimen, only tends to mislead; in ^. 

 7^/. it is observed that the "taper-pointed calyx" is alone sufficient to 

 keep it distinct from C. semidecandnim ; whereas I find no difference 

 in the calyx whatever ; except perhaps that in C. semidecandnim there 

 is a more distinctly membranaceous margin, as there is also to the floral 

 leaves or bracteas. In other respects I must confess that Mr Borrer's 

 own specimens of the 2 plants, do seem to me to be truly the same. See, 

 too, Ur Greville's remarks in Fl. Edinensis, p. 103. Mr Wilson, how- 

 ever, observes that this plant, though a difficult species, is, in his opinion, 

 distinct.i 



** Petals longer than the calyx. 



5. C. arverise, L. [field Chickiceed^ ; leaves linear-lanceolate 

 more or less pubescent especially at the base, petals twice as 

 long as the calyx. E, Bot. t. 93. 



Dry, sandy, and gravelly places. Less frequent in Scotland. Fl. June, 

 July. 1(. . — Stems branched and decumbent at the base, a span long, 

 slender. Flowers large, pure white, 2 or 3 on terminal stalks. Capsule 

 scarcely longer than the cahjx. 



6. C. alpimim, L. {hairy alpine Chickweed) ; subglabrous or 

 clothed with long white soft silky hairs, leaves elliptical ovate, 

 panicle dichotomous. E. Bot. t. 472. — C. latifoliian, Lighff. Scot. 

 v.'i.p. 242. t. 9. 



Frequent on the Highland mountains of Scotland. Very rare in Wales: 

 and not now to be found on Snowdon. Fl. July, Aug. If. — Much branch- 

 ed below and creepinar, then erect, 3 — 5 inches high. Flowers large, 

 handsome, white. Petals bifid at the point. 



7. C. latifolii/m, L. (broad- leaved alpine Chickweed) ; subgla- 

 brous or clothed with short rigid yellowish pubescence, leaves 

 elliptical-ovate, branches mostly single-flowered. E. Bot. t. 473. 



^ To ibis first division of the genus, variable asaremost assuredly the species 

 of it, Mr Babington has added what lie is led to consider two new British 

 ones. 1. " C. peduncithitiim, (Bab. in Mag. of Zool. and Bot. v. W.p. 20O, t. 6); 

 leaves ovate or oblong, petals much shorter than the calyx, sepals lanceolate- 

 acute covered with short glandular hairs their apex and margins membran- 

 ous, the margins of the bracteae slightly membranous, capsule straight sub- 

 cylindrical equal to, or longer than the calyx, always erect, the fruit-bearing 

 peduncles two or three times as long as the calyx, stems repeatedly dicho- 

 tomous. a. b-partitum ; iS. 4-pnrtitiim. Isle of Wight and Essex. Petit 

 Port, Jersey; Babington.— 2. C. atrovirens,{Bab. I, c. p. 317. t. 9); leaves broadly 

 ovate, petals much shorter than the calyx, sepals lanceolate-acute covered with 

 glandular hairs their apex and margins narrowly membranous, bi'actese herba- 

 ceous, capsule obovate or subcyliiidrical shorter than the calyx, fruit-bearing 

 peduncles two or three times as long as the calyx and erect. Berwick-upon- 

 Tweed. Petit Port, Jersey: and near Itchen Ferry, Southampton: Babington." 

 1 abstain from offering an opinion upon them, as I have not seen authentic 

 specimens. 



