42 FLOWERS OF FIELD, HILL, AND SWAMP 



and symmetrical flower. Stamens united at base. Stipules, 

 none, but often glands in their place. 



Flowers, small, rather crowded on viscid, clustered stems, 

 creeping at base. They last only a day, and produce a round- 

 ish, brown pod. i to 2 feet high. 



Linum means a thread. Flax is an Anglo-Saxon word, signify- 

 ing to plait or weave. The use of flax for linen cloth, cordage, 

 etc., is as ancient as are the Egyptian mummies, many of which 

 were wrapped in fine linen. Of its history we read that "in the 

 Temple of Minerva at Lindus there was kept a linen corselet of fine 

 workmanship, which haci been worn by Amasis, an Egyptian king 

 who reigned 600 years before Christ, each thread of which was 

 composed of 360 filaments." 



The flax used in making Brussels lace sells for from $5 to $9 

 per ton. 



17. Moss Milkwort 



Polygala cruciata (" much milk," an inappropriate name). 

 — Family, Milkwort. Color, pink or greenish. Leaves, in 

 whorls of fours, on angled stems, long, narrow. Time, late 

 summer. 



Sepals, 5, 3 green, and 2, colored like petals, called wings, 

 larger than the others. Petals, 3, of unequal size. Stamens, 

 6 or 8. 



Flowers massed in clover-like hfeads or spikes on low plants. 

 When found growing together they have a moss-like appear- 

 ance. 4 to 15 inches high. 



18 



P. brevifhlia is slenderer, with scattered, narrow leaves. Its 

 flowers are much like the above. Stem shorter and slenderer. 



p. lietea is a pretty species, with yellow heads of blossoms, 

 common in New Jersey and southward. 6 to 12 inches high. 

 All these grow in swamps. 



