180 BRITISH FLOWERING PLANTS chap. 



some approximation to that of Fragaria, as it is slightly- 

 spongy, though not succulent. 



P. Tormentilla. — This species, like Geum urhanum, 

 is said ^ to produce honey abundantly in Norway, but 

 not in Central France. In the North it is visited by 

 humble bees, but not in Germany or France. 



P. anserina (Silver Weed) has the leaves silky white 

 on the under side, and sometimes, though less so, on 

 the upper as well. The flowers partly close at night 

 and in wet weather. 



P. reptans has cleistogamous as well as the ordinary 

 flowers. 



Alchemilla 



We have three species : one a small annual [A. 

 arvensis), the other two perennial ; one (A. alpina) has 

 the leaves silvery below, in the other [A. vulgaris) they 

 are green on both sides. The calyx is double (as 

 described in Potentilla), and there are no petals. The 

 flowers are sometimes complete, but as a rule either 

 the stamens or the pistil are rudimentary. The anthers 

 open when it is fine, and shut again if it rains. The 

 honey is, as usual, secreted by a fleshy ring on the inner 

 side of the calyx, and forms a very thin layer, which 

 gives the flower a yellowish tinge. 



A. vulgaris (Lady's Mantle). — The leaves form a 

 small cup, which often contains a comparatively large 

 drop of rain or dew. The rain does not wet the 

 leaf, and only touches it at the base, from which it runs 

 into the small sunk nerves, and is thus retained in 

 place. A tuft of hairs at the base of the leaf prevents 

 it from running off down the leaf- stalk. In the 

 mornings it is often icy cold, and perhaps deters cows 

 and sheep from eating the leaves. 



Sangtjisorba 



In this genus also petals are absent. It is represented 

 in our flora by 



^ Bonnier, Ann. Sci. Nat. ser. 6. viii. (1879). 



