Arcnaria.] XII. CARYOPHYLLACE^J. W 



c. A. kptoclado, Guss. Flaccid, sepals lanceolate, capsule narrower, 

 pedicels spreading.] 



7. A. ciliata, Linn. (fig. 156). Fringed S. Stems perennial at the 

 base, short, diffuse, generally much branched and matted, the flower- 

 ing branches 2 or 3 inches high, and more or less downy. Leaves 

 small and ovate, more distinctly stalked than in A. serpyllifolia, veined 

 underneath, and usually fringed with a few stiff hairs, near the base. 

 Flowers much larger than in the last species, on slender pedicels, 3 to 

 6 lines long, the obovate petals considerably longer than the sepals. 

 Capsule opening in 6 valves. 



In mountain pastures, in northern and Arctic Europe, and at con- 

 siderable elevations, in the higher ranges of central and southern 

 Europe. In Britain, only on limestone cliffs near Ben Bulben, in Sligo, 

 Ireland, and in the Orkneys and Shetlands. Fl. summer. The Scottish 

 specimens belong to an Arctic (maritime ?) nearly glabrous variety, with 

 more succulent leaves, seldom fringed, shorter peduncles, and rather 

 broader sepals, distinguished as a species under the name of A. nor- 

 vegica, Gunn. [An annual or biennial variety of this species has been 

 recently discovered on Ribblehead, Yorkshire ; with it is the A. gotthica, 

 Fries.] 



8. A. trinervis, Linn. (fig. 167). Three-nerved S. A tender, much 

 branched, decumbent or spreading annual, from 4 or 5 inches to a foot 

 long, resembling in some respects Stellaria inedia, but very different in 

 flower. Leaves stalked, ovate, pointed, half an inch long or more, thin, 

 of a light green, with 3 distinct nerves. Pedicels from the upper forks 

 of the stem, rather longer than the leaves. Sepals very pointed. Petals 

 not quite so long, obovate and entire. Capsule opening in 6 valves, the 

 seeds few, shining, with a little white appendage at their hilum. 



In shady woods, along ditches and moist places, throughout Europe 

 and the greater part of Russian Asia, except the extreme north. Frequent 

 in England and Ireland, less so in Scotland. Fl. spring and summer. 



VII. MCENCHIA. MCENCHIA. 



Small, but rather stiff, erect annuals. Sepals 4. Petals 4, entire. Sta- 

 mens 4 or 8. Styles 4. Capsule opening at the top, with 8 short teeth. 



A genus of two or three European species, with the numbers of parts 

 of the flower and entire petals of Sagina, the habit and calyx rather 

 of Stellaria, and the capsule of a Cerastium. 



1. M. erecta,Sm. (fig. 158). Upright M. A glabrous and glaucous 

 annual, 2 to 4 or rarely 6 inches high. Leaves linear, the radical ones 

 slightly spathulate and stalked, the upper ones few and sessile. Flowers 

 few, white, rather large for the size of the plant, on long, erect pedicels. 

 Sepals nearly 3 lines long, broadly lanceolate, pointed, with white 

 scarious margins. Petals rather shorter. Capsule ovate. Ceraftiwn 

 quaterndlumt Fenzl. 



In stony or sandy wastes and pastures, over the greater part of cen- 

 tral and southern Europe, but not extending to its eastern limits, nor 

 into the north of Germany. Spread over England as far north as the 

 Cheviots. Fl. spring or early twnmer. 



