SEA-SIDE PLANTS. 55 



within the arctic circle, where scarcely any other 

 plants than lichens and mosses exist, and where 

 even the hardy race of pines, generally so fitted to 

 bear the blasts of northern tempests, yet dwindle 

 into stunted shrubs. The Scurvy-grass and the 

 different species of sorrel, both of which are 

 welcomed by the mariner as an antidote to the 

 disease generated by the salt provisions of a long 

 voyage, were found by Captain Parry, nourishing 

 under the snow, at the very farthest limits of 

 vegetation. 



One of the handsomest of our sea-side flowers is 

 the Vernal Squill (Scilla verna), which cannot be 

 termed a common flower, as it is rarely seen on 

 the southern shores of this island. On the coasts 

 of the west and northern parts of Great Britain, 

 its beautiful deep-blue bell-flowers scent the air, 

 usually bearing in it so little of the odour of wild 

 flowers. It is about three or four inches high, 

 with numerous deep-green slender leaves ; but its 

 size varies much, according to differences of soil and 

 situation. In August and September the Autumnal 

 Squill (Scilla autumnalis) makes its appearance on 

 some parts of our shores, especially at the south of 

 England. The flowers are not so pretty nor so 

 brightly blue as the spring species ; and it is not 

 until they have withered that the leaves come 

 up from the root. They have a pinkish or lilac 

 tinge. 



But rarely on the English coast do we find that 

 very elegant flower, called by some botanists the 

 Sea Gromwell, by others the Sea Lungwort or Sea 

 Bugloss (Lithospermum maritimum), though on 

 the sea-coast of the north of England it sometimes 

 blooms among the sand or loose stones of the beach ; 



