of them, and also the unattractive character of the plants
themselves, we cannot wonder that several British plants have
so long remained undetermined.
This plant appears to be by far the most variable species of
the genus, presenting a quite different appearance when giow
ing upon damp muddy shores, from its usual state as an inhabitant
of a sandy and shingly beach ; but the careful study of
very numerous living specimens has convinced us that these
different forms are only states of one species, and that although
the formation of a specific character which shall, at the same
time, include all their variations, and distinguish the species
from its near allies, is a point of very considerable difficulty,
still it is our firm opinion that A. rosea is specifically different
from A. patula, prostrata and laciniata, the three plants with
which it is most likely to be confounded. From the two
former of these, its scattered axillary flowers and the form of
its leaves and calyces will be found to be sufficient to distinguish
it, and from A. laciniata the two latter characters completely
separate it.
Stems procumbent or ascending, square, striated, usually
slender, sometimes thick and fleshy, often beautifully tinged
with reddish purple, clothed with whitish meal in common
with the ‘flowers and leaves. Leaves ovate-triangular, with
two prominent horizontal lobes at the base, which aie largei
in proportion to the leaf than is usual in this genus, irregularly
sinuate-dentate, very white and mealy on the under side;
the upper leaves similar in general character, but the lobes
smaller in proportion, and the leaf lanceolate ; the uppermost
of all sometimes nearly or even quite entire. Flowers in small
distinct, mostly axillary, clusters. Calyx of the fruit large,
irregularly rhomboidal, acute, toothed in the upper part, with
two more or less regular lines of tubercles on the back, sometimes
nearly smooth ; their outline varies greatly even upon
the same plant, but there is always a peculiar character about
them which is more easily seen than described. Seeds large,
minutely tubercular-rugose, tinged with red.
Common upon the sea-coast throughout Britain. The
specimens figured were gathered at Granton, near Edinburgh,
on the 2nd September 1841.— C. C. B.