142 NOTES ON POLYGONUM AVICULARE. 
very long (fully half an inch to lower leaves), over-topping the 
flowers. Flowers sessile or nearly so, generally one only in each 
axil. Height 1 to 15 feet. 
A graceful form, remarkable for its slender growth, long 
narrow leaves, and long and much cut stipules, which on the 
buds are entire, white, and glistening, but ultimately become 
very much lacerated. Gathered in corn-fields in the neighbour- 
hood of Sedgefield, and on the Old Hartlepool ballast hills. 
Polygonum microspermum, Jordan.—Stems solid, hard, wiry, 
generally prostrate. Leaves lanceolate, seldom exceeding half 
an inch long, length to breadth as 5 or6to1. Stipules lacerated 
(but not divided into such narrow segments as in the last plant), 
shorter than the flowers. Flowers shortly peduncled, one or 
two in each axil. Stems not exceeding six inches. 
A little prostrate, wiry-stemmed plant growing on barren 
ground, distinguished from aviculare, its nearest ally, by its 
smaller size and seeds; its more lacerated stipules and linear 
leaves, which last, moreover, are generally appressed to the 
stems. On the quay and in the timber yards at Stockton, 
and on the ballast heapsat Seaham. (A. M. N.); Isle of Wight. 
(Mr. A. G. More). 
Polygonum aviculare, l.—Stems solid, straggling, upright or 
prostrate. Leaves long-ovate, half an inch to one inch long, 
length to breadth as about 4 to 1. Stipules but little torn, dark, 
much shorter than the flowers. Flowers peduncled, two or three 
in each axil. Height one to two feet. Waste and cultivated 
land, abundant everywhere. 
Polygonum agrestinum, Jordan. — Stems stout, hollow, 
upright, strongly striated. Leaves ovate; often nearly two 
inches long, length to breadth as 2-3 to 1. Stipules lacerated, 
much shorter than the flowers. Flowers richly coloured, mostly 
3 (2-4) in each axil, with peduncles equal to the length of half the 
flower. Height 2-3 feet. 
Known by its large size, broad, ovate leaves, and hollow stem. 
This is the most showy of the forms; and has been gathered in 
a corn-field at Shincliffe, (A. M. N.); and in the neighbourhood 
of Thirsk.—(Mr. J. G. Baker.) 
