I'APiixE rA.\iii,\ 4^3 



green, in crowded whorls, forming very large, almost leafless 

 panicles ; inner perianlh-segmeuts triangular, netted, with oblong 

 tubercles.- — River-banks ; frequent. — Fl. luly; August. Perennial. 



* Acid herbs (Sorrels) liilli Icai'cs generallv liasiaie and impcrjett 



ftcncers 



11.^ R. alpinus (Monk's Rhubarb). — ^V slightly downy plant, 

 with thick W;z':c»«c ; steni stout, ; — 4 feet high; leaves roundish- 

 cordate, not hastate, on long channelled stalks ; fioicers monce- 

 cious, in crowded but not confluent whorls, farming a panicle with 

 numerous erect branches, leafy at the base oijly ; inner perianth- 

 segments ovate, cordate, membranous, without warts. — Near 

 cottages, formerly cultivated for its astringent rhizome and as a 

 pot-herb. — Fl. Julv, August. Perennial. 



T2. R. Acetosa (Common .Sorrel). — A slander, smooth plant, 

 about ; feet high, with simple, juicv stems : radical leaves on very 

 long stalks, sagittate, glaucous beneath ; iippefleaves %ess.\\e\ stipules 

 brown ; -flowers reddish-green, dicecious, in feafiess panicles with 

 erect branches ; outer perianth-segments reflexed in fruit ; inner 

 round, membranous, with a minute wart at the base. — ^leadows ; 

 abundant, ^^'ell known for its pleasing acid taste. — Fl. >Iay — 

 August. Perennial. 



13.* R. scutdtus (French Sorrel). — The species chieflv cultivated 

 as a pot-herb or salad, with hastate-ovate, slightly fiddle-shaped 

 leaves, is occasionally naturalised. 



14. R. AcetoscUa (Sheep's Sorrel). — JMuch smaller than R. 

 Acetosa : 6 — 10 in. high ; often tinged, especially in autumn, with 

 a deep red ; leaves lanceolate-hastate ; stipules silvery, torn ; 

 -flowers dicecious, in leafless panicles with 5rect branches ; older 

 perianth-segments ascending, ituier without .warts. — Dry gra\x-lly 

 places ; abundant. — Fl. I\Iay — August. Perennial. 



Okd. LXV. TiiviiEL.E.icE.t. — D.vChxe Fajiily 



A small Order of plants, mostly slirubby,'Temarkable for their 

 toiigh inner bark, which is of a highly acrid nature, causing 

 excessive pain if chewed, and raising a blister if applied to the 

 skin. They have undivided, exstipulate, laurel-like leaves : flou-ers 

 generally perfect ; perianth tubular, 4- rarely 5-c'.eft, coloured, 

 imbricate : stamens 2 — 10. inserted in 2 rows in the perianth- 

 tube ; ovarv superior, i-chanibered ; stigma undivided ; />!«7 a 

 i-seedednut or drupe. 'Phe bark of several species is used f.r 

 making rope and paper, that of Lagctta liniedria, the Lace-bark 

 tree of Jamaica, for instance, which can alsQ be puMed out under 



