86 
NATURE STUDY NOTES 
chiefly on account of small calyx. Usually only one 
flower on each stem. Size, \ inch diameter. Seeds, 
small linseed. Height, 1 to 2 feet. 
NOTES—Resembles the flax plant grown in the 
British Isles and in Canterbury Province, New Zea¬ 
land, but of smaller size. In the British Isles, linen 
is made from the fibres of the tough flower stems, 
chiefly at Belfast in Ireland. In Canterbury, the 
farmers grow it for its seed, from which linseed 
oil, linseed cake (cattle food), etc., are made. 
THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL AND THE 
CREEPING MALLOW 
GENERAL—The latter is often mistaken for the 
former, as the flowers of both plants are small and 
of scarlet-red colour, with 5 petals. Both are fairly 
common in all parts of the North Island, but the 
Creeping Mallow is uncommon in the South Island. 
They are found growing in waste places, by the 
roadside, and as weeds in cultivated gardens. 
(Illustration, p. 85.) 
DIFFERENCES—The stems of Scarlet Pimper¬ 
nel are square, and seldom longer than 9 inches; 
those of Creeping Mallow are frequently more than 
2 feet, creeping along the surface of the ground, 
and rooting at short intervals. The leaves of Scarlet 
Pimpernel are relatively larger than those of 
Creeping Mallow. The latter have stalks, but the 
former are stalkless. The flowers of Creeping 
Mallow are slightly larger than those of Scarlet 
Pimpernel—about f inch diameter. 
