THE PINK FAMILY. 



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Soap wort {Sapmaria officinalis). A strong-rooted peren- 

 nial, with sub-erect, soft, herbaceous stems, 2 to 3 feet in height. 

 It is generally understood to be a native of this country, but 

 is rare, except in gardens. It takes its name Soapwort from 

 its answering to a considerable degree the use of soap, 

 forming a lather in water. It is especially efficacious in 

 taking grease-spots out of woollen cloth. 



Gypsophila paniculata. A strong growing perennial, with 

 narrow leaves, attaining the height of 2 feet, the whole 

 having a glaucous hue, which is indicative of its native 

 place, the dry Steppes of Siberia. After having ripened and 

 shed its seeds, the stems become dry and hard, and breaking 

 off entire from the root, are rolled up and blown about by 

 the wind, collecting other matter till they become large balls, 

 called witches. 



CheTleria sedoides, called Mossy Cyphel. A native of the 

 mountains of Scotland ; is a curious compact moss-like plant, 

 assuming the form of a ball, sometimes a foot in diameter, 

 and being a miniature representative of the Balsam Bog 

 plant of the Falkland Islands. 



Corn Cockle (Agrostemma Githago). A strong growing 

 animal, with pretty pink flowers, but a very troublesome 

 corn weed ; it being difficult to separate the seeds from the 

 grain, the value of the latter is deteriorated, and the flour is 

 even said to be rendered unwholesome. 



The family is interesting for its pretty flowers, such as the 

 Carnation and Clove. Dianthus Caryophyllus^ found wild in 

 this country, by cultivation and hybridizing is the origin of 

 all the beautiful varieties of Cloves and Carnations ; and 2). 

 Armeria that of double Pinks. The beautiful varieties 

 of Sweet William are hybrids of D. barbatus, a native of 

 Germany. 



The family is represented in this country by 60 species, a 

 great number being mere weeds, such as Chickweed, Alsine 

 media ; Mouse-ear Chickweed, Cerastium arvense ; and 

 others. Arenaria peploides and Silene maritima are pretty 

 sandy -beach plants. 



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