16G 
THE FLORAL WORLD AND GARDEN GUIDE. 
and soft to the foot as the most luxuriant growth of moss. This 
plant is of finer texture than the last, the leaves are narrower, and 
have a more delicate bristle-like poiut, and instead of tiny grey 
flowers, it produces comparatively large flowers of the purest white. 
A large patch of it in full bloom is as pretty a sight as one need 
wish to see in a day’s march. You will have no difficulty, after 
having studied Chickweeds,and Sandworts, and Stitchworts, in deter- 
mining that these two plants belong to the Carnation tribe, and 
hence the natural system recognizes them as near relations. Yet, 
because of a little disagreement in their constitutional arithmetic, 
they are separated by the Linnsean system by six classes, so that to 
PROCUMBENS PEAELWOET. 
cite only one example of results, if we refer to Deakin’s “ Flori- 
graphia Britanuica ” for descriptions of them, we find the sagina in 
the middle of the first volume, aud the spergula in the middle of 
the second. The first belongs to Class IV., Order III., having four 
stamens and four pistils. The second belongs to Class X., Order 
IV., having ten stamens and five pistils. 
There are three other species of Spurrey, and two other species 
of Pearlwort. The Corn Spurrey, S. arvensis, is known in Norfolk 
as the “ Pick-purse,” being regarded as an injurious weed, whereas, 
in truth, it is highly nutritive, and in Holland and Germany is 
frequently sown with corn in order that there may be plenty of it 
on the land the following season, when the cattle are turned out on 
the stubble. The Knotted Spurrey, S. nodosa, grows in marshy 
soils, preferring sandy spots. It is of a wiry, straggling habit, and 
produces large white flowers. 
A host of plants will have come under observation while the 
foregoing studies were in progress. Several of the Yarrows may 
have been found in flower, the most common being the Common 
Milfoil, Achilloea millefolium, a valuable pasture plant, and by no 
means valueless in the garden, for it answers well for turfing hot 
sandy banks where grass is sure to be soon burnt up in summer. 
The “ Rosy Yarrow ” of the garden border is a variety of the same 
plant, and one so rare in its beauty, though commonest of the 
common, that its flowers may be as fairly likened to jewellery, as 
any other flowers that have been so honoured. The Wild Yarrow is 
usually white, but it is by no means uncommon to meet with many 
shades of flesh and pale pink where the plant grows in plenty. 
