GEEANIACE^E. 



165 



8. Dove's-foot Geranium. Geranium molle, Linn. 

 (Kg. 206.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 778.) 



An annual, often tufted at the base, 

 more or less covered with rather long, 

 soft, spreading hairs ; the stems weak 

 and spreading, very short when first 

 flowering, and seldom attaining a foot. 

 Radical leaves numerous, on very long 

 stalks, orbicular, rather above an inch 

 diameter, divided to below the middle 

 into 7 to 11 obovate or wedge-shaped 

 lobes, which are again 3- or 5-lobed ; the 

 upper leaves few, small, with fewer but 

 deeper and narrower divisions. Pe- 

 duncles shorter than the leaves, each 

 with 2 small purplish flowers ; the sepals 

 obtuse or scarcely pointed ; the petals 

 deeply notched, scarcely longer than the 

 calyx. Carpels distinctly marked with 

 transverse wrinkles. Seeds quite smooth, 

 without dots. 



In waste and cultivated places, throughout Europe, except 

 the extreme north, and spread over many other countries as 

 of cultivation. Abundant in Britain. Fl. the whole season. 



Fig. 206. 



perhaps 

 a weed 



9. Small-flowered Geranium. Geranium pusillum, Linn. 

 (Eig. 207.) 



(Eng. Bot. t. 385.) 



Yery near the doves-foot G., but less hairy, and the leaves usually 

 smaller and more deeply divided. Sepals with a short but distinct 

 point. Petals but slightly notched. Carpels not wrinkled, but hairy 

 as in the round-leaved G., whilst the seeds are as smooth as in the 

 doves-foot G. Five of the stamens have usually, and perhaps con- 

 stantly, no anthers, as in Er odium. The upper leaves are sometimes 

 divided to the base ; the species is then distinguished from the cut- 

 leaved G. by the smaller leaves and smooth seeds. 



