698 SPIRSIA. [CLASS XII. ORDEK II. 



Boot wiih numerous stout cord-like fibres, terminating in a fleshy 

 tuber, of an oblong shape, and frequently bearing several on the same 

 fibre one above another. Stem from twelve to eighteen inches high, 

 roundish, striated, smooth, simple, much crowded wiih leaves in the 

 lower part, distant above. Leaves from two to four inches long, or 

 more, smooth, with a round common footstalk, spreading or depressed, 

 elegantly pinnated with numerous oblong opposite and alternate leaflets, 

 with small intermediate ones, all deeply cut into unequal serrated 

 acute lobes, a dark green, paler beneath, and branched with reins. 

 Stipules linear on the lower leaves, rounded on the upper, attached on 

 one side to the footstalk, unequally cut or serrated on the margin. 

 Inflorescence a terminal branched cymose panicle, of numerous cream 

 coloured flowers, pinkish externally. Calyx with roundish oblong 

 obtuse reflexed segments. Petals obovate, with a short claw. Stamens 

 with short linear filaments, and roundish ovate anthers, of two cells. 

 Styles very short, curved. Stigma large, obtuse. Capsules linear, 

 about ten, parallel, villous, thin and membranous, of two cells. 



Habitat. — Dry open pastures, especially in a chalky or gravelly soil. 



Perennial ; flowering in July. 



Dropwort is a pretty esteemed garden flower, which by cultivation 

 becomes double, and appears like a number of miniature roses. The 

 tubers contain a considerable quantity of farinaceous matter, which 

 Linnaeus says forms no despicable substitute for bread. 



3. S. Ulma'ria, Linn. (Fig. 798.) Meadow-sweet, Queen of the 

 3Ieadoivs. Herbaceous, leaves interruptedly pinnated, the terminal 

 leaflet three or five lobed, the lateral ones ovate, undivided, serrated, 

 white and downy beneath ; flowers in compound cymes ; calyx reflexed ; 

 capsules smooth, contorted. 



English Botany, t. 960.— English Flora, vol. ii. p. 369.— Hooker, 

 British Flora, ed. 4. vol. i. p. 197. — Lindley, Synopsis, p. 89. 



Root fibrous, without tubers. Stejn erect, from three to four feet 

 high, angular, furrowed, smooth, leafy and branched upwards. Leaves 

 alternate, with the common footstalk, furrowed, and sometimes downy, 

 interruptedly pinnate, the large lateral leaflets ovate, the terminal one 

 much the largest, and three or five lobed, the intermediate ones small, 

 all with the margins unequally and acutely serrated, while and downy 

 underneath, and marked with a prominent mid-rib and branched 

 lateral ones. Inflorescence proliferous, cymose, panicles of numerous 

 flowers. Calyx with five acuminated reflexed segments. Petals 

 roundish, with a short claw. Stamens with slender filaments, and 

 roundish anthers, of two cells. Styles short, with capitate stigmas. 

 Capsules five to eight, oblong, kidney-shaped, smooth, and disposed in 

 a spiral manner. 



Habitat. — Meadows, banks, and wet places ; frequent. 



Perennial ; flowering in June and July. 



