LXXIIT. THYMELACE.E. 
377 
Oxijria. 3 
Campdera to his R. oxyotus ; but this, which has also ovate sepals, is 
reduced by Meisner to R. Acetosa. 
13. II. Acetosella L. ( Sheeps S .); sepals ascending, inner 
ones scarcely enlarged ovate without, tubercles, lower leaves 
lanceolato-liastate lobes entire. E. B. t. 1674. 
Dry pastures, frequent. 2/.. 5 — 7. — Variable in its height, from 
2 — 10 inches, and in the form of its leaves ; for, frequently, only the 
radical ones are of the shape above de-cribed, at other times many 
of the cavlint ones are so too; the restare lanceolate, more or less 
petiolate, entire. Every part is much smaller than in the last species. 
In very dry situations, and at the end of summer, the whole plant 
becomes of a rich red colour. 
[R. scutalus L., the French or Garden Sorrel, has been observed 
near Edinburgh, Hamilton, and several other places, having escaped 
from cultivation. This has polygamous-monoecious flowers.] 
3. Oxyria Hill: R. Brown. Mountain-Sorrel. 
Perianth 4-partite, the two interior segments in front scarcely 
longer than the others, spreading. Stamens 6. Styles 2; 
stigmas multifid. Achene compressed, surrounded with a mem- 
branous wing, much larger than the sepals. — Named from 
o?oe, sharp or acid ; in allusion to the acid flavour. 
1. O. renifurmis Honk. ( Kidney-shaped M.) 0. acida Br. 
Rumex digynus L. : E. B. t. 910. 
North of England, Wales, and Scotland, abundant in alpine situ- 
ations, especially amongst moist rocks and within reach of the spray 
of cascades. It- 7, 8. — Stems 8 — 10 inches high, with rarely more 
than one leaf, often naked. Radical leaves numerous, all reniform, 
with a more or less evident obtuse sinus at the apex, on long foot- 
stalks, having membranous stipules at their base. Racemes and 
peduncles branched, with minute, ovate, membranous bracleas at the 
base of each ramification. Pedicels thickened upwards. Flowers erect, 
small. Stam. 6, shorter than the petals. Achene with a remarkably 
broad winged border, tipped with the styles situated in rather a deep 
notch, and having at the base the sepals, none of which are enlarged 
as in Rumex. The leaves yield a most agreeably acid flavour, much 
resembling that of wood sorrel ( Oxalis Acetosella). 
Ord. LXXIII. TIIYMELACE7E Juss. 
Perianth free, tubular, often coloured, 4 — 5-cleft. Stamens 
inserted upon the tube, definite, when equalling in number the 
segments of the perianth opposite to them. Anthers 2-celled, 
opening longitudinally. Ovary 1, free, 1-celled, with one pen- 
dulous ovule. Style 1 , and stigma 1 , undivided. Fruit an 
achene, berry , or drupe. Seed 1, pendulous. Albumen none, or 
thin and fleshy. Radicle superior. — Shrubby, without stipules. 
