3. S. subulata, leaves opposite, awl-shaped, bristle-pointed, fringed; flower-stalks solitary, very long, each bearing a small flower, the white petals as long as the calyx. Awl-shaped Spurrey.

Hab. Dry pastures and barren heaths. Amongst the craigs at Easington, and at Spindlestone, plentiful. Coldingham Moor. July, Aug.

This species very much resembles Sagina procumbens, of which LINNAEUS considered it a variety; and we have gathered specimens of the Sagina in which some of the flowers had a calyx of five segments, and a capsule of five cells. SMITH says he never found the marginal hairs on the leaves of S. subulata wanting, and that the flowerstalks are always more or less glandular and viscid; but we have gathered wild plants perfectly smooth in every part. See also HOOKER'S Fl. Scot. i. 145.

143. LYTHRUM. Petals 6; calyx 12-cleft, inferior.

II. DIGYNIA.

144. AGRIMONIA. Petals 5, borne by the calyx; seeds in the bottom of the hardened calyx.

III. TRIGYNIA.

145. RESEDA.

Petals in many segments; capsule of 1 cell, gap.

ing.

IV. DODECAGYNIA.

146. SEMPERVIVUM. Petals 12; calyx in 12 deep segments;

capsules 12.

I. MONOGYNIA.

143. LYTHRUM.

1. L. salicaria, stem square, 2 or 3 feet high; leaves opposite, lanceolate, heart-shaped at the base; flowers in whorled leafy spikes, purple; stamens 12. Purple Loosestrife.

Hab. Rough bogs and marshy places. Haiden and Allerton Mill deans; Tweed banks above Norham, &c. July, Aug. 2

II. DIGYNIA.

144. AGRIMONIA.

1. A. eupatoria, hairy, 2 feet high; stem-leaves pinnate, leaflets elliptic-oblong, terminal one stalked; calyx encompassed with bristles; flowers numerous, yellow, in an elongated tapering spike. Common Agrimony.

Hab. Borders of fields, and on dry banks, frequent. June,
July.

The astringent and bitter qualities of this plant render it
mildly tonic and stimulant; but it is rather a popular
than a classical medicine, and makes the principal and
most efficacious part of some empirical herb-teas.-—Eng.

Bot.

III. TRIGYNIA.

145. RESEDA.

1. R. luteola, leaves lanceolate, undivided; calyx in four segments; flowers yellowish, numerous, in long terminal clusters. Dyer's Rocket.

Hab. Waste grounds, and dry gravelly pastures, common.
July, O

The dried stems yield, by decoction, a yellow colour, and
are much used in dyeing wool, silk, and cotton.

IV. DODECAGYNIA.

146. SEMPERVIVUM.

1. S. tectorum, leaves fringed; offsets spreading; edges of the petals hairy, entire, Common Houseleek,

Hab. Cottage roofs, frequent. July.

6

"It is common in the North to plant the herb Houseleek upon the tops of cottage-houses. The learned author of the Vulgar Errors' informs us, that it was an ancient superstition, and the herb was planted on the tops of houses as a defensative against lightning and thunder.”. BRANDE'S Pop. Antiq. p. 241.

CLASS XII.

ICOSANDRIA.

-"He that enlarges his curiosity after the works of Nature, demonstrably multiplies the inlets to happiness; and, therefore, the younger part of my readers, to whom I dedicate this vernal speculation, must excuse me for calling upon them, to make use at once of the spring of the year, and the spring of life, to acquire, while their minds may be yet impressed with new images, a love of innocent pleasures, and an ardour for useful knowledge; and to remember, that a blighted spring makes a barren year, and that the vernal flowers, however beautiful and gay, are only intended by Nature as preparatives to autumnal fruits."-Dr JOHNSON.

I. MONOGYNIA.

147. PRUNUS. Calyx inferior, 5-cleft; petals 5; nut of the drupa with slightly prominent seams.

II. PENTAGYNIA.

148. MESPILUS. Calyx superior, 5-cleft; petals 5; apple with 2-5 bony single-valved capsules; seeds 2.

149. PYRUS. Calyx superior, 5-cleft; petals 5; apple with 2-5 membranous 2-valved capsules; seeds 2.

150. SPIREA. Calyx inferior, 5-cleft; petals 5; capsules of 2 membranous valves; seeds numerous.