BRITISH WTLD FLOWERS. 
175 
been only found in three places, viz. at Daventry, Plymouth, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It is a smaller plant 
than the Sea Holly, and has neither the blue flowers nor glaucous hue of that plant. Both the species are 
perennials. 
GENUS XLI. 
THE SANICLE. (Sanicula, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Description, &c. —There is only one British species in this genus, viz. the Wood Sanicle (.S', europwa). 
It is very abundant in woods, where its pretty white flowers and dark green glossy foliage make it very 
conspicuous among the heaps of dead leaves by which it is generally surrounded. The word Sanicula is 
derived from sano, to heal; in allusion to the supposed medical properties of the herb, which, Gerard informs us, 
was formerly used in all “ vulnerary potions or wound-drinks, which make whole and sound all inward wounds 
and outward hurts.” The plant is a perennial, and it flowers in May and June. 
GENUS XLII. 
THE WHITE-ROT. (Hydrocotyle, Lin.) 
Lin. Syst. PENTANDRIA DIGYNIA. 
Description, &c.— The only British plant belonging to this genus grows in marshy situations ; and as the 
sheep fed in such places are very subject to the rot, the plant is supposed by many ignorant people to produce that 
most fearful disease, and hence its popular English name. It is also called Marsh Pennywort ; in allusion to the 
shape of its leaves, which is round like that of a penny. The scientific name of the plant, Hydrocotyle , also 
alludes to the shape of the leaves, as it signifies a water-cup ; and the leaves, from having their stalk in the 
centre, frequently take a cup-like shape, and are found with a little water in the centre. The plant is a creeping 
perennial, and produces its pretty pinkish flowers in May and June. 
CHAPTER XL. 
THE MADDER FAMILY. (Stellate, Lay.) 
Character of the Order. — Calyx superior, four, five, or six- 
lobed. Corolla monopetalous, rotate or tubular, regular, inserted into 
the calyx ; the number of its divisions equal to those of the calyx. 
Stamens equal in number to the lobes of the corolla, and alternate with 
them. Ovarium simple, two-celled; ovules solitary, erect; style 
simple; stigmata two. Fruit a dry indehiscent pericarpium, with two 
cells, and two seeds. Seeds erect, solitary; embryo straight in the 
axis of horny albumen; radicle inferior; cotyledons leafy. Herbaceous 
plants, with whorled leaves, destitute of stipulse ; square stems ; roots 
staining red ; flowers minute. (Lindley.) 
Description, hc .~— This order was formerly generally considered a section of Rubiaceae, a very extensive 
order, containing the Coffee, the Peruvian Bark, and many other interesting plants. All the British plants, 
however, contained in Rubiacece, are comprised in the present order, Stellatse ; and they are all herbaceous 
