THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
153 
a number of insignificant yellowish-green flowers. A more remark- 
able species is the Bird’smest Orchid, Listera nidus-avis, which has 
a weird aspect, and once seen will never be forgotten. The flowers 
and the flower-stem are of a dingy brown hue — a flower for witches 
much more than fairies. The root repeats in a more complex form 
the character of the Meadow orchis, consisting of tubers which pro- 
duce young plants in the following season. 
The Military Orchis, O. militaris, is an inhabitant of chalky hills, 
and common in the midland counties, wherever such hills occur. 
It closely resembles the Monkey Orchis, but has more colour, the 
helmet being of a pale ash colour, the tip rosy purple, with spots. 
Everywhere now we see upon shady banks the lovely white 
flowers of the great Stitch-wort, Stellaria holostea, which may be 
called a large and grand edition of the common chickweed, with a 
capacity for climbing, for it towers up amongst robuster plants by 
the aid of its rough leaves and stems. At the slightest touch the 
A, side view ; a, perianth; 6, membranous bracts. B, front view ; 
a, triple styles. C, style much magnified. 
stem snaps asunder ; hence it is often called by country people, 
‘■All-bones : ” it also bears the name of “Cuckoo-flower;” indeed, 
we have several so-called Cuckoo-flowers — a sufficient answer to 
such as protest that vulgar names are enough, and Latin names 
more bother than they are worth. Mixed with it, perhaps, may be 
the glorious flowers of the Garlic Treacle Mustard, Sisymbrium 
alliaria, a coarse plant, with large, light-green, heart-shaped leaves 
acutely toothed, and terminal heads of small, white, cruciferous 
flowers. If any doubt about the plant when you find it, taste a bit ; 
you will find it pungent, and the odour of garlic is unmistakeable if 
the plant is brushed over with the hand. 
In the field paths, the Knot-grass, Polygonum aviculare, is now 
showing a few of its pretty pink flowers, a member of the Persicaria 
order ; a troublesome plant to the farmer, but making some amends 
by its nutritious qualities and the partiality of sheep for it. On 
old walls and on rocks may be found the Yellow Fumitary, or 
Common Corydalis, Corydalis lutea, which is also a favourite on the 
May. 
