CLASS V. ORDER I.] ERYTHRJEA. 259 



109.— English Flora, vol. i. p. 321.— Lindley, Synopsis, p. 178.— 

 Chironia littoralis. — English Botany, t. 2305. 



This, we also think , would be more properly regarded a variety of 

 E. Centatirium ; we have found it equally common with the preced- 

 ing. It differs in the leaves, being narrower, and in more distant pairs, 

 with one or three ribs, the margins sometimes minutely toothed. The 

 stem simple or branched from the base or stem, often obscurely angular. 

 The calyx as long as the tube of the corolla ; and the limb of the 

 corolla with ovate segments, larger in proportion to the size of the 

 plant; and the Jlotvers more crowded into a capitate corymb. One or 

 other of these characters are so variable from the variety of situations 

 of growth, as to render it difficult to determine (if they are to be re- 

 garded as species) to which to refer it. 



Habitat. — Sandy districts, especially near the sea ; England, Scot- 

 land, and Portmarnock, Ireland. 



Annual ; flowering in June and July. 



4. E. laiiyolia. Smith. (Fig. 341.) broad-leaved tufted Centaury. 

 Stem three branched at the top; flowers in dense forked tufts; calyx 

 as long as the tube of ihe corolla; segments of the corolla lanceolate; 

 lower leaves broadly elliptical, with five or seven ribs. 



English Flora, vol. i. p. 322.— English Botany, Suppt. t. 2718.— 

 Hooker, British Flora, vol. i. p. 110. — Lindley, Synopsis, p. 178. 



Whether this is a species or a variety of E. Centaiirium we are 

 unable positively to determine, for so variable are the characters of 

 the British plants of this genus, that it is difficult to say which is a 

 species and which a variety. The present is, perhaps, more distinct 

 from E. Centatirium than those above mentioned; its leaves are 

 broader, larger, and more obtuse, especially the radical ones. The 

 stem is short, three branched at the top ; and the calyx segments as 

 long as the tube of the corolla, but yet not any of these characters are 

 constant : and we cannot think it is more than a variety. It is not 

 uncommon in sandy districts, growing with others in every intermediate 

 stage between this and E. Centaurium. Were we disposed to mul- 

 tiply species, or enumerate varieties, many might be mentioned. We 

 have now before us specimens nearly two feet high, some single, and 

 others with numerous stems from the branched root, and obscurely 

 angular; the leaves lanceolate, three and five ribbed ; the stem three 

 branched at the top ; the flowers in dense tufts, almost capitate ; the 

 calyx as long, or longer than the tube of the corolla ; the bractea long 

 as the tufts of flowers, narrow, awl-shaped, and the style somewhat 

 bent ; but we cannot think that it is any thing more than a variety of 

 E. Centaurixim. It was grown in a moist sandy situation amongst 

 corn. 



Habitat. — Sea shores, and sandy situations. 



Annual ; flowering in July and August. 



VOL. I. 2 m 



