LETTER XXXIX. 



THE BUCKWHEAT TRIBE THE GOOSEFOOT TRIBE. 



Plate XL. 



No plants are more common by road-sides, and in 

 waste places, than the species of the genera Polygo- 

 num and Rumex ; or in flower-gardens, than Persi- 

 carias ; or in the kitchen garden, than Sorrels and 

 Rhubarbs. These plants belong to the Buckwheat 

 Tribe (Polygonacese), and mil next demand our 

 attention. 



You w ill, no doubt, remember the Nettle Tribe (Vol. 

 I. Plate XL p. 147.)> with its hairy calyxes without 

 petals, its flowers of two sorts, and its single ovary, 

 containing one upright seed ; nor do I imagine the 

 gorgeous Amaranths to be forgotten, whose calyx is 

 so much like that of the Nettles, only that its colours 

 are so gay, its flowers all of the same sort, and 

 the leaves without stipules. The Buckwheat Tribe 

 is in many respects like these, but at the same time 

 essentially different. Take for an example Knot-grass 

 (Polvgonum aviculare), species of which are sure to 

 be met with on every neglected garden walk, or hard 

 bank, where few other plants could exist at all. There 

 it expands its numerous slender arms, embracing the 

 hard earth, and pressing to its bosom the cold rock 



