a reddish tinge. It blossoms in April. The French. call the plant Holosté; the Germans, Spurre; and the Dutch, Zorghzaad.

9. SPERGULA (Spurrey).

1. S. arvensis (Corn Spurrey).-Leaves slender, cylindrical, and awl-shaped, in whorls around the stem, with minute chaffy stipules at the base; flowers in panicles; flower-stalks bent down when in fruit. Plant annual. This Spurrey, which is common on gravelly and sandy soils throughout Europe, is from six to twelve inches high, and when luxuriant is sometimes more abundant in the cultivated field than the farmer desires. Its white flowers may be seen throughout the summer, and its stalks and flower-cups have usually a reddish tinge. The leaves, which are scarcely thicker than a coarse thread, are about an inch in length. The French call this plant La Spergule; the Germans, Der Ackerspergel; the Dutch, Akker-spurri. It is the Spergola of the Italian; and the Danish name of Knaegraes is not inappropriate, as the stalks bend at the joints in a sort of angular manner, difficult to describe, but giving a peculiar character to the Spurrey. Our country people have various names for the plant, as Sandweed, Yarr, and Pick-pocket.

Although the Spurrey is a troublesome weed in the corn-field, where its numerous seeds render it often abundant, yet it is a plant to be prized on the pasture land, as cattle eat it with much avidity, and it is highly nutritious. The farmers cultivate it in Holland on meadows destined to afford pasture for their cows; and it is also sown in the Netherlands among the stubble of the field from which the corn has been gathered in, in order that it may afford winter food for the sheep. It is remarkably rapid in its growth, for it may be sown and reaped in the course of eight weeks, either in autumn or spring; and the sheep are much improved by feeding upon it. It is also a favourite and valuable food for poultry. Von Thaer remarked of it, that it is the most nourishing, in proportion to its bulk, of all forage, and gives the best flavoured milk and butter. Its culture has been recommended to the English agriculturist; but it is thought that the expense would exceed the remuneration of the crop, and, as Professor Martyn remarks, we have many plants better adapted to our poorest soils. The Spurrey grows wild in many parts of North America, and is very abundant in the neighbourhood of Quebec. It seems universal throughout Europe; and in Finland and Norway bread is made of its seeds during seasons of scarcity. The small flowers are very sensitive under atmospheric changes; and Dr. George Johnston remarks, "We have seen a whole field, whitened with its blossoms, have its appearance quite changed by the petals closing on a black cloud passing over and discharging a few drops of rain."

2. S. nodósa (Knotted Spurrey).-Leaves opposite, growing together at the base, upper ones very short, growing in knots, and having tufts of young leaves in the axils; petals much larger than the calyx; flower-stalks always erect. Plant perennial. As the Rev. C. A. Johns has remarked, in his "Flowers of the Field," this species may be known by its tufted leaves, which distinguish it from any other British plant. Its flowers are very pretty, and showy for its size; they grow two or three together, on a stem about three or four inches high, and appear in August and September. The plant is not unfrequent on wet sandy fields and marshy places. The central stem is shorter than the lateral ones, and bears no flowers. Some writers consider this and the two following species as Pearl-worts, and place them in the genus Sagina.

3. S. saginoides (Pearl-wort Spurrey).-Leaves opposite, awl-shaped, and tipped with spines; flower-stalks solitary, very long, and smooth; petals shorter

than the calyx. Plant perennial. This is a very small plant, not uncommon on the Highland mountains; bearing drooping white flowers in June and July.

4. S. subuláta (Smooth Awl-shaped Spurrey).-Leaves opposite, awl-shaped, crowned, and slightly fringed; flower-stalks solitary and very long; petals rather longer than the calyx. Plant perennial. This plant, which is very similar in appearance to the Procumbent Pearl-wort, is common on gravelly pastures; its white flowers appearing in June and July.

10. STELLARIA (Stitchwort).

1. S. média (Chickweed).-Leaves egg-shaped, with a short point; stems with a hairy line alternating from side to side; petals deeply 2-cleft, not longer than the sepals; stamens 5-10. Plant annual. Everybody knows this common little plant. Our fathers called it also, Hen's Inheritance; its numerous seeds and young tops affording a good supply of food, not alone to the poultry which may stray over the grass lands, but also to those singing-birds which God has sent to gladden the heart of man, and to fill the wild wood with songs of joy.

The Chickweed grows everywhere on rich cultivated land. Now we find it springing up in the garden, after a spring rain, making the beds green with its young shoots, and even in winter having the light tint of the spring leaf. In the fields it calls for the weeder's care; and under the hedge-bank its white flowers bloom all the year long, save when the snows have covered every green thing. It is a very valuable plant to birds; nor is it one of the worst of those herbs which men have sometimes boiled for their food. We need hardly describe its small flower, for it may always be seen, like a little star among its leaves, when the sun is shining. It is a good indicator of the changes of weather; and we would warn the traveller to wrap his cloak about him if the flower is quite closed, for rain, if not come, is coming soon, when this is the case. But if the Chickweed flower is fully expanded, he may walk gaily on, with a pretty good assurance that for hours at least he may be safe from rain; though if half closed, it would be well to take timely warning that the leaf may soon be wet with the passing shower. We, in modern days, find no great remedial virtues in this herb, but our forefathers recorded it as an effectual remedy against cramps, convulsions, palsy, and various maladies. "Boil a handful of chickweed," says one old herbalist," and a handful of red-rose leaves dried, in a quart of muscadine, until a fourth part be consumed:" oil of sheep's feet was to be added, and the 'grieved place" anointed therewith. One can imagine from the nature of some of the ingredients, that the sufferer might find relief from pain by this application, but it was not completed without binding some of the chickweed over the part affected, which if done, would, as the director adds, "with God's blessing, cure the malady in three times the dressing."

2. S. holóstea (Greater Stitchwort, Satin-flower, or Adder's Meat).-Stem nearly erect, with four distinct angles, rough edged; leaves very narrow, tapering to a long point, delicately fringed; petals twice as long as the calyx, and cleft to the middle; calyx without nerves. Plant perennial. There is beauty on the earth in every season of the year, in some part or other of the landscape. The leafless woods of winter, with their crimson berries lingering yet, and their boughs sparkling with the frost, and beautiful in their varied outline and their emerald mosses, which half disclose some crimson or orange fungus,-have their beauties to offer to the wanderer there. The golden corn-field of August, when the bearded grain, doing obeisance to the passing wind, reminds us of the wind-swept ocean, has its chief loveliness of flowers in the autumn, when the crimson poppy,