CtASS V. ORDKR I.] MTOSOTIS. 237 



single there is generally one flower distant from the rest, and 

 frequently from the axis of a small leaf; the hairs of the common 

 stalk, at least in the upper part, close pressed. Flowers numerous; 

 pedicles spreading when in fruit, at length curved downwards. Calyx 

 about half-cleft, less deeply than in 31. sylvatica ; its segments lanceo- 

 late, narrow, folding over the fruit more closely than in 31. sylvatica, 

 consequently more oval, and all the hairs, except a few towards the 

 points of the segments, hooked ; these straight hairs are, however, more 

 numerous on some plants than others, hut are not so numerous as in 

 3f. sylvatica. Coro//a mostly small; ^«6e the length of the calyx ; the 

 limb concave, as long as the tube. Style about the length of the tube. 

 Stigma capitate. Fruit four, ovate, acute; two-edged black nuts. 



Habitat. — Fields, uncultivated grounds, &c. ; frequent. 



Annual ; flowering during the Summer months. 



Few plants vary more in size than this. In the sandy fields of Not- 

 tinghamshire we have gathered it not more than three inches, and in 

 rich land, amongst corn, one and two feet high; it varies also consi- 

 derably in the size of its flowers, but which are pretty constant to the 

 characters, as described above. The more constant marks of distinc- 

 tion are to be sought for in the calyx. We hare some specimens also 

 that are covered with soft spreading white hairs; while others are 

 rough, from short hairs arising from callous tubercles. 



7. M. col'lina, Hoffm. (Fig. 316.) early Field Scorpion-grass. 

 Calyx with spreading hooked bristles, deeply five-cleft, open when in 

 fruit, and as long as the spreading pedicles ; limb of the corolla con- 

 cave, shorter than the tube. Raceme usually with a distant flower at 

 the base. 



Borrer in English Botany, Suppt. after t. 2558. — Hooker, British 

 Flora, vol. i. p. 103. — Lindley Synopsis, p. It6, 31. arvensis. — English 

 Botany, t. 2558.— t. 253. 



Root annual, fibrous. Whole plant very hairy. Stem from four 

 to eight and twelve inches high, usually several from the same root, 

 erect or spreading, simple or branched, round, thick, clothed with 

 spreading soft hairs. Leaves mostly numerous below the roots, and 

 on short dilated footstalks, ovate, obtuse, the upper sessile, oblong, oh- 

 tuse, or acute. Racemes long, very lax after flowering, the common 

 stalk round, hairs close pressed, having a single flower distant from the 

 others at its base, either alone or from the axis of the leaf. This dis- 

 tant flower is, however, not constantly present, especially in our conti- 

 nental specimens. Flotvers numerous, very small. Caly.v on an 

 extremely short pedicle when in flower, but elongating to about its own 

 length when in fruit, and spreading at length curved downward,'; 

 the limh cleft, into five narrow segments, clothed wiih hooked spreading 

 bristles, except near their extremities; they are straight, and open, 



