Engl. Bot. t. 883. — Curt. FI. Loud. t. — Linn. Sp. PI. p. G58. — Iluds. FI. Angl. 
(2nd cd. ) p. 209. — Willd. Sp. PI. v. ii. pt. 11 . p. 914. — Sm. FI. Brit. v. ii. p. 516. ; 
Engl. FI. v. iv. p. 63. — With. (7th ed.) v. ii. p. 587. — Lindl. Syn. p. 221. — Hook. 
Brit. FI. p. 381. — Macr. Man. Brit. Bot. pp. 203 & 204. — Liglitf. FI. Scot. v. i. p. 
250.— Sibth. FI. Oxon. p. 152. — Abbot’s FI. Bedf. p. 105.. — Davies’ Welsh Bot. 
p. 47.— Purt. Midi. FI. v. i. p. 230 — Relh. FI. Cant. (3rd ed.) p. 191.— Hook. FI. 
Scot. p. 148. — Grev. FI. Edin. p. 107. — FI. Devon, pp. 81 & 137. — Johnst. FI. Berw. 
v. i. p. 197. — Winch’s FI. Northumbl. and Durham, p. 58. — Walker’s FI. of Oxf. 
p. 262. — Bab. FI. Bath. p. 44. — Dick. FI. Abred. p. 53. — Irv. Lond. FI. p. 279. — 
Luxf. Reig. FI. p. 77, — Cow. FI. Guide, p. 30.— Mack. Catal. PI. Irel. p. 47 ; FI. 
Hibern. p. 235. — Galarhceus helioscopit/s, Gray’s Nat. Arr. v. ii p. 256. — 
Tithymalus heliuscopius, Ray’s Syn. p. 313. — Johnson’s Gerarde, p. 498. 
Localities. — A common weed in gardens, and on cultivated ground, everywhere. 
Annual. — Flowers from June to September. 
Root tapering, fibrous. Stem from 6 to 12 inches high, some- 
times more, upright, round, leafy, often branched at the base, 
slightly hairy upwards. Leaves inversely egg-shaped, alternate or 
scattered, few, finely serrated, tapering at the base, or stalked, 
smooth, bright green. Umbel of 5 branches or rays, each of which 
divides into three others, which again divide into two ; the whole 
furnished with broad inversely egg-shaped, serrated bracteas, (in- 
volucrum and involucellum of Linn.eus,), which are larger than 
the leaves. Involucrum ( calyx of Linn.,/ (fig. l,a.) of a greenish 
yellow colour, with 4 or 5 segments. JVectaries f petals of Linn.,/ 
(fig. 1,6.) 4, attached to the margin of the involucrum, alternate 
with its segments, roundish, entire, at first green, then turning 
yellow. Barren Flowers (figs. 2 & 3.) about 12 in each involu- 
crum, intermixed with narrow, branched scales (fig. 4.), and rising, 
3 or 4 at a time, above the nectaries. Fertile Flower solitary, in 
the centre of the barren ones (see fig. l,c. and fig. 2.) on a longer 
stalk, and mostly hanging out on one side of the involucrum. 
Capsule smooth. Seed (figs. 6 & 7.) of a purplish-brown colour, 
reticulated and pitted. 
The whole plant abounds with a milky juice, which is very acrimonious; and 
hence it is often applied to warts for the purpose of destroying them, but great 
care should be used in its application, particularly near the eyes, as it will in- 
flame the face to a great degree ; it has been also used as a caustic for the bite 
of vipers. Dr. Johnston tells us, in his “ Flora of Berwick-upon-Tweed,’’ 
vol. i. p. 197, that there is on record the case of a boy, who was poisoned by 
eating some of the fresh herb. — According to Linn/lus, if sheep eat it, they are 
purged by it, and their flesh acquires a bad taste ; but this is not the case with cows. 
A small, yellow, parasitic fungus ( Uredo Euphorbia, Hook. Brit. FI. vol. ii. 
pt. ii. p. 385.) is very common on this and some other species of Spurge, in the 
Summer and Autumn. 
WILD-FLOWERS. 
“ How thick the wild-flowers blow about our feet. 
Thick-strewn and unregarded, which, if rare. 
We should take note how beautiful they were, 
IIow delicately wrought, of scent how sweet. 
And mercies which do everywhere us meet, 
Whose very commonness should win more praise. 
Do for that very cause less wonder raise. 
And these with slighter thankfulness we greet. 
Yet pause thou often on life’s onward way — 
Pause time enough to stoop and gather one 
Of these sweet wild-flowers — time enough to tell 
Its beauty over — this when thou hast done, 
And marked it duly, then if thou canst lay 
It wet with thankful tears into thy bosom well !” 
R. C. TRENCH. 
