904 BUOOxNIA. [class ir. ORDER 11, 



2. S.^nc'dia, Smith, (Fig. 261.) ohlong Burnet. Spikes cylindrical. 



English Flora, vol. i. p. 2!9. — LincUey, Synopsis, p. 103. — Hooker' 

 British Flora, vol. i. p. 76. 



" Taller and larger than the foregoing, \vith a much longer and truly 

 cylindrical s-pike, of rather pale flotvers. Mr. Don, who sent it, had 

 scarcely an idea of its being more than a variety." 



Habitat. — Pastures in the West of Scotland — Mr. G. Don. 



Perennial ; flowering in July. 



This plant we only know from cultivated specimens, and from these 

 our drawing has been made. The spike is longer, and the flowers 

 paler, than in S. officina'lis; but whether these characters are constant, 

 and sufficient to distinguish it as a species, experience must prove. 



ORDER II, 



DIGYN'IA. 2 Pistils, 



GF.NUS XVII. BUFFO'NIA. Sauvages. Buffonia. 



Nat. Ord. Caryophyl'le.e. 



Gen. Char. Calyx of four pieces. Corolla of four entire petals. 

 Capsule compressed, one-celled, two-valved, two-seeded. — Name 

 given by Sauvages in honour of the celei)rated Bujfon, " who had 

 indeed very slender pretensions to botanical honour ; a circum- 

 stance supposed to have been indicated by LinnaBus in the specific 

 name teuuifolia." Smith. 



1. B. an'nua, De Candolle, (Fig. 262.) annual Buffonia. Stem 

 loosely panicled from the base, with short, spreading, firm branches; 

 furrows on the calyx straight, parallel ; capsules scarcely so long 

 as the calyx ; leaves subulate, spreading at the base. 



Lindley, Synopsis, p. 47. — Hooker, British Flora, vol. i, p. 74. 



B. tenuifo'Ua, English Botany, t. 1813. — English Flora, vol. i. p. 

 226. 



Root fibrous. Stem erect, about six inches high, round, smooth, 

 alternately branched, leafy. Leaves erect, opposite, awl-shaped, three- 

 ribbed, dilated and somewhat sheathing at the base. Flowers erect 

 small, white, solitary, on the roughish terminal and axillary stalks. 

 Calyx of four lanceolate, three-ribbed pieces, with rather broad, white, 

 raeiiibranous margins. Corolla of four oblong, entire, white petals, 

 shorter than the calyx. Capsule flattish, ovate, of one cell and two 

 valves, containing two large, ovate, compressed, roughish seeds. 



