CI,A« X. ORDER IV.] SPERGULA. 657 



smooth, about half an inch long, on the upper part of the stem shorter, 

 those from the root longer. Pedicles solitary, terminal, naked, slender, 

 erect, often as long as the rest of the plant, smooth. Flowers drooping, 

 while. Calyx of five equal ovate segments, obtuse, slightly swollen at 

 the base, obscurely ribbed, the margin membranous. Petals ovate, 

 rather shorter than the calyx. Stamens ten, rarely five, on slender 

 jilamenls, with yellow anthers, ovate. Styles erect after flowering, 

 five. Capsule erect, longer than the calyx, opening with five lanceo- 

 late valves. Seeds numerous, smooth, brown, kidney-shaped. 



Habitat. — On the Highland Mountains of Scotland; frequent. 



Perennial ; flowering in June and July. 



This plant bears a great resemblance to Sagina procumbens, from 

 which, however, it will be found upon examination lo differ, not only 

 in generic but specific characters also. 



4. S. subula'ta, Swartz. (Fig. 748 ) Aivl-shaped Sjmrrey. Leaves 

 awl-shaped, with a bristle point, opposite, united at the base, without 

 stipules, sub-ciliated ; pedicles long, erect, downy, as well as the stem ; 

 petals and capsules as long as the calyx. 



English Botany, t. 1082. — English Flora, vol. ii. p. 339.— Hooker, 

 British Flora, vol. i. p. 218. — Lindley, Synopsis, p. 48. 



Root small, of branched fibres. Stems numerous from the same 

 root, tufted, erect, spreading or procumbent, slender, simple or 

 branched, more or less scattered over with short slender glandular 

 hairs. Leaves numerous, opposite, united at the base without stipules, 

 awl-shaped, with more or less ciliated margins, keeled at the back, and 

 the point terminated in a bristle. Pedicles long, slender, erect both in 

 flower and fruit, more or less clothed with short viscid hairs, rarely 

 without any. Flowers small, white, erect. Calyx of five equal ovate 

 segments, with a membranous margin when dry, evidently keeled, and 

 with a slender rib on each side, more or less downy and viscid. Petals 

 obovate, about the length of the calyx. Stamens on slender filaments. 

 Anthers small, yellow, ovale. Styles erect after flowering. Capsule 

 as long as the calyx, or rather longer, bursting with five lanceolate 

 valves. Seeds numerous, minute, pale brown, kidney-shaped, smooth. 



Habitat. — Dry pastures, and waste sandy places. 



Perennial ; flowering from July to August. 



This species, though nearly allied to the last, is distinguished by the 

 viscid downiness of the whole plant, the more awl-shaped leaves with 

 a more tapering point, and longer bristle at the apex, the ciliated 

 margins, and the long downy viscid pedicles, as well as the keeled 

 ribbed downy calyx segments. 



