CARYOPHYLLACE/E. 



105 



4. Cheddar Pink. Dianthus esesius, Linn. (Fig. 120.) 

 (Eng. Bot. t. 62.) 



A perennial, of a very glaucous hue, 

 forming a short, densely tufted, often 

 almost woody stock. Lower leaves 

 crowded, stiff, seldom above an inch 

 long, narrow-linear, but obtuse. Flower- 

 stems erect, 5 or 6 inches or rarely near 

 a foot high, simple and 1-flowered, or 

 rarely forked, bearing a few leaves more 

 pointed than the lower ones. Flowers 

 rather large, fragrant. Calyx rather 

 thick, with short teeth, the outer scales 

 4, broad, very shortly pointed, not half 

 so long as the calyx. Petals broad, ir- 

 regularly crenate, usually with a few 

 hairs on the inside. 



On limestone or volcanic rocks, in va- 

 rious parts of western, central, and south- 

 ern Europe, but usually very local. In Britain, confined to the Ched- 

 dar rocks in Somersetshire. Fl. June and July. 



129. 



II. SAFONARIA. SAPONARIA. 



Calyx, corolla, and stamens of Lychnis. Styles 2. Capsule opening 

 at the top in 4 teeth or short valves. 



This genus, artificially distinguished by the number of styles, com- 

 prises several European and west Asiatic species, among which the S. 

 ocymoides and S. calabrica are frequently cultivated in our flower-gar- 

 dens, and S. Vaccaria, a common cornfield weed in Continental Europe 

 and central Asia, remarkable for its angular calyx and small pink 

 flowers, is said to have appeared occasionally in our own cornfields. 



1. Common Saponaria. Saponaria officinalis, Linn. (Fig. 130.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 1060. Soapwort.) 



A glabrous perennial, with several stout, leafy, erect stems, from 1 to 

 2 feet high. Leaves ovate or elliptical, 2 to 3 inches long, strongly 

 marked with 3 or 5 ribs, and narrowed at the base into a very short, 

 broad stalk. Flowers large and handsome, of a pale pink, or nearly 



