428 POLYGOXACE^. [Rumex. 



a vudinientary geimen in my specimens, but no style ; anthers yellowish, of two 

 rounded divergent lobes. 



I have not succeeded in finding any perfectly hermaphrodite flowers in ihis 

 species. 



In E. B. the leaves are represented acute, a variation from ^he usual form I do 

 not remember to have ever met with. 



On the lofty and almost perpendicular cliffs of Scratchell's bay this, with sam- 

 phire, thrift and other maritime plants, forms large patches of vegetation on the 

 narrow ledges of the chalk-rock called by the cliffsmen " greens," similar verdant 

 spots composed of grass being designated " meads," and both are resorted to in 

 the season, for birds and their eggs, by that adventurous race, though only acces- 

 sible from above by a rope at much personal risk, and attempted in a manner 

 which makes the inexperienced shudder to witness. 



The Great Shrubby Orache (Atriplex Halimus, L.), known by its much larger 

 size, upright stem, angular and very silvery leaves, is common in gardens along 

 the coast, where, together with the tamarisk, it makes excellent sea-fences. 



Order LXIV. POLYGONACE^, Juss. 



" Sometimes moncBcious or dioecious. Perianth free, divided, 

 the segments often in a double row. Stamens definite, but vary- 

 ing in number, from the base of the perianth. Ovary superior, 

 with 3 or more styles or sessile stigmas. Achene frequently tri- 

 angular or lenticular, with 1 erect seed. Embryo in a farinaceous 

 albumen, often lateral. — Herbaceous, rarely shrubby plants, ivith 

 sheathing stipules ! " — Br. Fl. 



I. EuMEx, Linn. Dock. 



"Permnt/i 6 -partite: the 3 inner segments (of the fruit) large, 

 connivent. Stamens 6. Styles 3 : stigmas multifid. Achene tri- 

 quetrous, covered by the enlarged inner sepals, which often bear 

 tubercles." — Br. Fl. 



[* Plants not acid ; flowers perfect. Lapathum, Dock. 



1. B.. HydrolapathwnyJIuds. Great Water Dock. "Enlarged 

 sepals ovato-deltoid reticulated entire each with a tubercle, leaves 

 lanceolate, the lower ones cordate at the base, petiole flat not 

 margined above, whorls crowded mostly leafless." — Br. FT,, p. 357. 

 E. aquaticus, Sm.: E.B. t. 2104. 



By rivers, ditches, and in wet meadows ; occasionally. Fl. July, August. H.. 



E. Med. — In meadows towards the upper end of Sandown level, in plenty. At 

 Yarbridge, by the stream on the Brading side of the road going to Yaverland, 

 and close by the hamlet. 



W. Med. — Marsh near Easton, in plenty, Mr. Snooke (" R. aquaticus "}. 



The largest and stoutest of our docks. 



In my specimens the enlarged petals are only obscurely reticulated, nor is the 

 tubercle very constantly present. Called R. aquaticus in B. T. W., but that plant 

 is very rare in Britain, and is known by the absence of tubercles; are the two 

 really distinct? Many species of this genus are very obscure and ill understood. 

 Wahlenberg, in Fl. Suec, refers our R. Hydrolapathum to the Linneean R acu- 

 tus, not making it even a variety. 



