SORREL 71 



runs along the ground, and its blossoms are 

 in clusters of six or eight on each stem. 



The Sorrel or ' Soorock,' as it is called 

 in Scotland (Rwnex acetosd), Plate V., Fig. 12, 

 is one of the dock tribe. It may be dis- 

 tinguished from the true dock by having 

 bunches of small reddish flowers, and leaves 

 with a pleasant acid taste; the docks, on 

 the other hand, have green flowers, and their 

 leaves are not sour. The leaves of the dock 

 are a specific in case of burning with nettles. 

 The juice has a soothing effect. The root 

 of the sorrel yields a red dye, and the leaves 

 make a good salad. 



A smaller species called Sheep's Sorrel 

 (Rwnex acetosella) is abundant upon dry 

 pasture on poor soil. The leaves and stem 

 turn rich red towards the end of summer. I 

 have seen a whole field rendered quite red 

 by them. The plant is only five to ten 

 inches in height. It also has an acid flavour. 



Leaving the fields, I shall now look at 

 roadsides and waste ground, premising that 

 some of the flowers I am about to mention 

 are found in fields and other places besides 

 those in which I am at present looking. 



