118 ENGLISH BOTANY. 
equal to the calyx in the fully expanded flower. Sepals oval, with 
a membranous margin, diverging very little. Petals white or lilac; 
with long claws. Pods in lax racemes; the pedicel rather shorter 
than the lower joint, which is about + inch long, and widest at 
the summit. The upper joint is about 2 inch long, and tapers 
towards the apex, while the base fits closely over the truncate 
extremity of the lower joint, which has a projection in the centre 
and an elevated margin at the two sides, and between the centre 
and the elevated margin there is frequently a small tooth. The 
surface of the pod is nearly smooth when fresh, but with prominent 
nerves or ribs when dry. Plant quite glabrous and slightly 
glaucous. 
Purple Sea Rocket. 
French, Caquillier Maritime. German, Der See Meersenf. 
The specific name of this plant indicates its place of growth. It is by the sea- 
coast and on sandy shores that we chiefly find its pretty green branches and pale 
purple flowers. Like most other Cruciferous vegetables, it may be eaten with impunity, 
and is even regarded as forming a pleasant salad mixed with other plants. It has 
been reputed to have active cathartic qualities. Pliny, according to Gerarde, gives it 
a reputation which might have been valuable in the ancient days of corporal punish- 
ment. He says: “ Whosoever taketh the seed of Rocket before he be whipt, shall be 
so hardened that he shall easily endure the paines.” He adds: “The root and seed 
stamped and mixed with vinegar and the gall of an ox taketh away freckles, lentiles, 
blacke and blewe spots, and all such deformities of the face.” The older botanists knew 
this plant by the name of Eruca marina. 
Tripe IT.—RAPISTREA. Scop. 
Cotyledons folded longitudinally (conduplicate), with the radicle 
at the back of one of them. Pod short, without valves. 
GENUS IT—CRAMBE. Linn. 
Sepals spreading, equal at the base. Petals equal, entire, with 
short claws, 4 lower filaments usually with a tooth near the 
summit on the outer side. Stigma sessile. Pod of two joints, 
which are indehiscent and without valves; the lower one very 
small, stalk-like, persistent, barren; the upper one large, globose, 
deciduous, 1-celled, and 1-sceded. 
Branched herbs or under-shrubs, often glaucous and glabrous, 
or clothed with simple hairs. Pedicels without bracts, racemose at 
least in fruit, racemes combined to form terminal panicles. 
French, Ze Crambé. German, Der Meerkohl. 
The generic name Cramibe is derived from the Greek word keap/ue (krambos), arid, 
dry. because the plants usually grow in the sand. 
