PINK FAMILY. 



CARYOPHYLLACE^. 

 Field Chickweed. Cerastium arvense. 



Found in May on dry and sandy banks. 



The stalk branches a little for the flowers, and varies in height 

 from 6 to 10 inches ; it is rough with hairs, and green. 



The small, grass-like leaves are rough-hairy, and green ; they are 

 set in pairs, joined about the stalk in a marked cup-like socket ; the 

 pairs occur at right angles to each other. 



The small flowers commonly have 5 petals apiece, but some- 

 times the number is scamped and they are contented with 4 instead ; 

 each petal is so deeply cleft as to give the appearance of being quite 

 divided ; the texture is thin enough to show the veins, the outer 

 surface is glossy, and the color is white ; the calyx has as many sharp- 

 pointed divisions as there are petals, and is green ; the 10 stamens are 

 pale straw-color. The flowers form little groups on long stems which 

 spring from the angles of the leaves in pairs. 



After the manner of the Pinks this nice little plant sets a blossom 

 between the fork of, the main stems. 



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