LXXII. POLYGON ACE^E. 
373 
Ricmex.~\ 
peduncles smooth, perianth without glands, achene lenticular- 
compressed or triangular, smooth and shining, leaves linear- 
lanceolate plane very shortly petiolate, stipules ciliate without 
glands. E. B. t. 1043. 
On gravelly, watery commons; about London, and in Worcester- 
shire, Cheshire, and Lancashire. Very rare in Scotland. Near Cork, 
Ireland. ©. 8,9. — Allied to P. Hydropiper, but much smaller, 
usually procumbent and rooting at the base, with upright spikes, 
narrower leaves, and styles more combined. According to Dr. Meisner, 
however, the styles in his specimens are only united at the base, and 
there are 5 (rarely 8) stamens; if he be correct, there is scarcely any 
character left to separate this and P. mite. Mr. Bentham unites 
them. 
15. P. Hydrdpiper L. ( biting P); stamens usually 6, styles 2 
combined to near the middle, spikes lax filiform at first droop- 
ing, peduncles smooth, perianth glandular, achene lenticular- 
compressed dotted opaque, leaves lanceolate waved, stipules 
mostly with scattered glands shortly fi inged. E. B. t. 989. 
Frequent by the sides of lakes and ditches. Q. 8, 9. — Stem 
] — 3 feet high, erect. Remarkable for its slender, long, more or less 
drooping spikes of distant, reddish Jlowers ; they are lateral and ter- 
minal, and are sometimes at length erect. “ Stamens 6, rarely 8. 
Styles 2, rarely 3, combined to the middle.” Meisn. 
2. Rumex Linn. Dock. Sorrel. 
Perianth 6-pnrtite: the 3 inner segments (of the fruit) large, 
connivent. Stam. 6. Styles 3 : stigmas multifid Aclien e tri- 
quetrous covered by the enlarged inner sepals, which often 
bear tubercles. — Name of unknown origin. 
* Plants not acid. Flowers perfect, or monoecious. Lapathum. Dock. 
1. R. Hydrolapathum Huds. ( great Water D .) ; enlarged 
sepals ovate-deltoid reticulate entire each with a tubercle, 
leaves lanceolate the lower ones cordate at the base, petiole flat 
not margined above, whorls crowded mostly leafless. R. aqua- 
ticus Sm. : E. B. t. 2104. 
Ditches and river-sides, frequent in England, rare in Scotland. If. . 
7, 8. — The largest of our docks, 3 — 5 feet high; some of the lower 
leaves 1| ft. long. Root large, very astringent. Enlarged sepals 
with prominent veins, and large oblong tubercles. 
2. R. crispus L. ( curled D.) ; enlarged sepals broadly cordate 
entire or crenulate reticulate, one principally with a perfect 
large tubercle, leaves lanceolate waved acute, upper whorls 
leafless. E. B. t. 1998. 
Way-sides and near houses, pastures, &c., frequent. If.. 6 — 8. 
- — Stem 2 or 3 feet high. Lower leaves the broadest, all waved and 
crisped at the margins. Whorls of Jlowers very numerous and crowded. 
