Rubia,] XL. STELLATA, 211 
genus Relbuniwm) being intermediate between the two genera as usually 
limited. 
1. R. peregrina, Linn. (fig. 470). Wild M.—A straggling herb, of 
a shining green, sometimes very dwarf, sometimes trailing over bushes 
and hedges to the length of several feet, clinging by means of short re- 
curved prickles on the edges and midribs of the leaves, and sometimes 
on the angles of the stem. Rootstock and sometimes also the base of 
the stem perennial and creeping. Leaves 4 or 6 in the whorl, ovate- 
oblong or lanceolate, 1 to 14 inches long, on very short stalks or nearly 
sessile. Flowers small, greenish, in loose axillary or terminal panicles 
rather longer than the leaves. Corolla usually 3-lobed. Fruit a small 
black 2-lobed berry. . 
In dry woods, and stony places, in western and southern Europe, and 
eastward to the Caucasus, less frequent in northern France and Ger- 
many. In Britain scarcely found beyond the south-western counties of 
England, and the coast of South Wales, and Ireland. Fl. all summer. 
The R. tinctoria, or dyers’ Madder, extensively cultivated in southern 
Hurope for the scarlet dye furnished by its roots, differs but very slightly 
from R&. peregrina, and may be a mere variety. 
II. GALIUM. GALIUM. 
Herbs, with weak, quadrangular stems, sessile leaves, in whorls of 4, 
6, or 8, and small white, yellow, or (in exotic species) red flowers, in 
axillary or terminal trichotomous cymes or panicles, sometimes reduced 
to small clusters. Calyx completely combined with the ovary, without 
any visible border. Corolla rotate, the tube scarcely perceptible, with 
4 spreading lobes. Fruit small, dry, 2-lobed, with 1 seed in each lobe. 
An extensive and natural genus, spread over the whole of the 
temperate regions of the New as well as of the Old World, especially 
abundant in Europe and northern Asia, penetrating also into the 
tropics, but there chiefly confined to mountain districts. 
Flowers yellow. 
Leaves 4 in each whorl, ovate. ae axillary, shorter 
than the leaves . : : ; , 
Leaves 6 or 8 in each whorl, linear. Panicles terminal 
Flowers white. 
Leaves in fours. 
Fruit hairy . : ‘ : : - - : . . 8 G. boreale. 
Fruit glabrous. 
Leaves ovate or lanceolate, very shining, and prickly at 
edge . : : ; : L : : : - Rubia peregrina. 
Leaves linear, smooth or rough, but not prickly. 
Flowers on slender pedicels: Corolla small and 
G. Cruciata. 
. G. verun. 
hoe 
eotate . : : . SB. &. palustre. 
Flowers nearly sessile, | in little clusters. Corolla 
funnel-shaped . i : : é : : . Asperula cynanchica 
Leaves 6 or 8 in each whorl. 
Perennials. Stems smooth or rough on the angles. 
Fruit covered with long hairs . : . Asperula odorata. 
Fruit small, smooth, and slightly eranulated. 
Lobes of the corolla ending in a fine point. Stems 
usually 1 to 2 feet, and rather firm at the base . 6. G@. Mollugo. 
Lobes of the corolla scarcely pointed. Stems short, 
or very slender, 
Leaves 4 or 6, very obtuse . : : - ‘ . 8 G. palustre. 
