CRtTCIFEB^. 87 



on long claws. Pods long and linear, nearly cylindrical ; the stigma oblong, 

 erect, and very shortly divided into two parallel lobes. Seeds not winged, 

 apparently in a single row in each cell ; the radicle incumbent on the back 

 of one of the cotyledons. 



A small genus, confined to Europe and northern Asia, nearly allied to 

 the Stocks, but with a somewhat dijfferent habit, and the radicle incum- 

 bent, not accumbent. 



1. Common IXesperis. Hesperis matronalis, Linn. 

 {S. inodora, Eng. Bot. t. 731. Dame's Violet.') 



Stems 2 to 3 feet high, usually slightly branched. Leaves shortly stalked, 

 or tapering at the base, ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, 2 to 3 inches long, 

 or the upper ones smaller. Flowers usually fragrant in the evening. Pods 2 

 to 4 inches long, nearly cylindrical, but much contracted between the seeds. 



In hedges, bushy places, and open woods, in central and southern 

 Europe, and all across Russian Asia, and, having been long cultivated in 

 cottage gardens, is frequently met with, apparently wild, further to the 

 north. In Britain, probably only as an outcast from gardens. Fl. early 

 summer. 



The Virginia Stock of our gardens, a seacoast plant of southern Europe, 

 is said to have been found on our own shores near Dover. It belongs to the 

 genus Malcolmia, only differing from Hesperis in the more pointed lobes 

 of the stigma, and the pod slightly thickened at the base. 



IX. SISVMBRIUSI. SISYMBEIUM. 



Annual, or rarely perennial, erect herbs, glabrous, or with spreading hairs ; 

 the flowers small, yellow, or. in some exotic species, white. Pod hnear, 

 nearly cylindrical, the lateral nerves of the valves more or less distinct ; the 

 stigma entire, smaU or capitate, closely sessile on the summit of the valves. 

 Seeds apparently in a single row, ovoid or oblong, not flattened ; the radicle 

 incumbent on the back of one of the cotyledons. 



A numerous genus, spread over the northern hemisphere, with the yellow 

 flowers and habit of Wintercress and Brassica, but differing essentially 

 from both in the position of the radicle. Several species of the three genera 

 are popularly known by the name of Rocket. 



Leaves deeply pinnatifid. 



Perennial lobe of the leaves broad and very obtuse, much larger 



than the others Common Wintercreag, 



Lobes of the leaves lanceolate, the lower ones often curved backwards. 



Pods short, downy, closely pressed against the axis 1. Common S. 



Pods long, glabrous, spreading, and often turned to one side . . 2. Broad S. 

 Leaves twice or thrice pinnate, with numerous small linear segments . 3. Fine-leaved S. 



Besides the above, the S. polyceratimm, from Continental Europe, is said 

 to have established itself in the streets of Bury, in Suffolk. It has the foli- 

 age of the broad S., with numerous shorter pods crowded in the axUs of 

 the upper leaves. 



1. Common Sisymbrium. Sisymbrium ofiEicinale, Scop. 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 735. Medffe Mustard.) 

 An erect annual, more or less downy, a foot high or rather more, with 

 very rigid, spreading branches. Leaves deeply pinnatifid, with few lan- 



L 



