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BRITISH WILD FLOWERS. 
appears to be in flower all the year ; and partly because cage-birds are very fond of its seeds, so that every one 
who has a canary or other singing bird is generally acquainted with the Chickweed better than almost any 
other British plant. The Chickweed varies very much in different soils and situations ; but it may always be 
distinguished from the other species of the genus by the remarkable, unilateral, hairy lines which run along its 
stem, from joint to joint alternately. It is said to be good for the table when boiled like spinach ; and all 
poultry are remarkably fond of it. It is interesting in this little weed, that it first gave Linmeus an idea of 
what he has called the sleep of plants. In the evening the leaves approach in pairs, so as to enclose between 
their upper surfaces the tender buds of the plant; and the two upper leaves but one have longer petioles than 
the others, so that they can close over the terminating leaves, and thus protect the end of the branch. The 
flowers, which are only expanded from nine o’clock in the morning till noon, also never unfold except in fine 
weather ; keeping themselves erect when they are open, but drooping when they close. After heavy rains they 
frequently remain closed for several days. This plant is found in almost every part of the world, and appears to 
grow equally well both in hot and cold climates, springing up with the greatest rapidity from seed, and 
producing plants which flower and ripen fresli seed the same season. 
4.—THE BOG STITCHWORT. 
Synonymes. —S. aquatica, Poll.; S. hy pericifolia, Wiggers ; S. 
Dilleniana, Leers ; S. lateriflora, Krock ; S. fontana, Jacq. ; S. 
Alsine, IV. ; Larbrea aquatica, St. Hilaire. 
Engravings. —Eng. Bot., 1.1074 ; 2nd ed., t. 635. 
(Stellaria uliginosa, Smith.) 
Specific Character. —Leaves elliptic-lanceolate, entire, with a 
callous tip. Flowers in an irregular dichotomous panicle. Petals 
shorter than the leaves of the calyx, which are united at the base. 
(Smith.) 
Description, &c. —A little annual plant, of no beauty ; very common in ditches and rivulets in every part 
of England. 
THE WOOD STITCHWORT. (S. nemorum, Lin.) 
This is a very pretty perennial species, which is common in moist woods in Scotland, and the North of 
England. It flowers in May and June, and is distinguished from the other species by its petals being so deeply 
cut as to appear ten in number, instead of being only five ; while its leaves are broad, and generally cordate. 
THE LESSER STITCHWORT. (S. graminea, Lin.) 
This has the same peculiarity of deeply-cut petals as the last ; but it is distinguished by its narrow, grass¬ 
like leaves. It is a perennial, with a creeping, underground stem, and is common in every part of England. It 
flowers very abundantly in June and July. 
THE MANY-STALKED STITCHWORT. (S. scapigera, Willd.) 
This is a little perennial plant, found occasionally growing by the sides of rivulets on the Scotch mountains. 
Its flowers, which are of no beauty, are produced in June. 
THE ALPINE STITCHWORT. (S. cerastoides, Lin.) 
This is a little perennial plant, with rather pretty flowers, which are produced in June. It is a native of 
he Highland mountains. 
