By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 



339 



fail to arrest the attention, not only of the most casual observer, 

 but more especially the vegetable physiologist. Sometimes the 

 petals are observed very diminutive, and the anthers changed into 

 carpels. Again, in the double state the pedicels or partial flower 

 stalks are found very much elongated with joints or constrictions 

 at intervals, the constrictions appearing to have been the sites of so 

 many whorls of petals, and perhaps of sepals, the pedicel becoming a 

 common axis to several flowers, which successively develope them- 

 selves as the pedicel advances in length, and then fall off in the 

 same order. Instances of deviation from customary modes of struc- 

 ture should always engage the particular attention of the botanical 

 student. 



Nasturtium, (R. Br.) Cress. 

 Linn. CI. xv. Ord. ii. 

 Name from Nasus tortus (Latin) a convulsed nose, in allusion to 

 the effect produced by the pungent quality of the plant. 



1. N. officinale, (R. Br.) officinal. Common Water Cress. Sis- 

 ymbrium. Engl. Bot. t. 885. Reich. Icones, ii. 50. 



Locality. Running waters and rivulets. Frequent. P. Fl. June, 

 July. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 



General throughout all the districts in Wilts, where it is univer- 

 sally used as an early and wholesome spring salad. When growing 

 out of water it is more slender with smaller leaves, and is the "N. 

 microphyllum," (R. 4360). When found in deep water with stems 

 many feet in length, and often an inch thick, leaves large, resembling 

 those of a Sium, it is "N. Siifolium" (R. 4361). Neither of these 

 forms have as yet been observed in the county. The upper sur- 

 face of the leaves of Water Cress, like those of other aquatics of 

 similar habit, is of an oily smoothness which repels moisture, 

 especially when the plant grows floating, its natural and most 

 luxuriant state. 



2. N. terrestre, (Sm.) land or marsh Cress. Engl. Bot. t. 1747. 

 Reich. Icones, 4362. 



Locality. Muddy places and river banks, not common in the 

 county. P. Fl. June, September. Area, 1. * * 4. * 



