SEA-SIDE SANDWORT-SPURREY— continued. 
more indeed than of the plants themselves, with the result that those to which we 
now apply the name Alsine do not belong to the Alsine# but to the Spergule#. 
The name Alsine , used by Dioscorides, is stated by Pliny to be derived from 
aXcros, alsos, a grove, and, if so, would have been more appropriately applied to 
the genus Stellaria. The Tribe Spergule# comprises plants long known as Spurrey, 
though now referred to the two genera Spergu/a and Alsine. The name Spurrie is 
said by Cotgrave to be French, and Lyte suggests that it is the origin of the 
scientific Spergula , though this has often been derived from spargo , I scatter, with 
supposed reference to the free scattering of the seed. Dr. Prior, however, connects 
these names, and the French Espargoutte and German Spark , with a Low Latin 
Asparagula and the Greek o-rrapdcrcra), sparasso , I rend, or da-naipu)^ aspairo , I am 
convulsed. 
The genus Spergula has small stipules, five styles, and five valves to its capsules. 
It comprises a small number of species, which are weeds in cultivated land. The 
genus Alsine Linne has been very generally known as Spergularia Persoon. It 
is cosmopolitan, comprising some twenty species, most of which are halophytes, 
having relatively large membranous, connate, persistent stipules, somewhat fleshy 
stems and leaves, and only three styles and three valves to their capsules, and 
inhabiting the sea-shore or dry sandy places. Sir Joseph Flooker writes of the 
species as “very variable,” and says that they “may be regarded as sub-species of 
one ” ; but there seem to be at least four fairly distinct and constant British forms, 
characteristic of differing habitats. 
A. marina Wahlenberg, otherwise known as Spergularia marginata Kittel, is a 
perennial form with a woody rhizome ; compressed reddish aerial stems ; broadly 
triangular, usually entire stipules ; semi-cylindric, sub-acute leaves ; long flower- 
stalks ; petals pale pink, with a white base ; ten stamens ; very large capsules, longer 
than the calyx ; and compressed, rounded reddish seeds with a thick margin extended 
into a broad membranous wing. 
It is especially characteristic of muddy shores, such as those of estuaries. Here 
(where the tide at high water submerges the saltings with Grass-wrack and Marsh 
Samphire) on firmer ground, beyond the reach of most tides, we find this species, 
with Arrow-grass, Sea Plantain, Sea Lavenders, Sea Milkwort, Scurvy-grass, etc., 
succeeded farther inland, on higher and drier ground, by Thrift, Centaury, and 
Stone-crop. 
