The common Plantain or Way-bred is found by roadsides, the leaves form a sort of star on the ground, from the centre of which a tall stalk arises, forming a "spike" of flowers. The seeds of plantain are much in request by bird fanciers, cage-birds being fond of them. The leaves were once in great repute as a styptic, or application for stopping the bleeding of wounds. 19. PLUMBAGINACEÆ (Armeria maratima) Thrift. (Ilex aquifolium) Holly. [Illustration: Thrift.] [Illustration: Holly.] The most characteristic of this order are the two examples given, especially the Holly, which is universally known and admired for the decorative uses to which it is applied in our churches and houses at Christmas time. ORDERS OF MONOCHLAMYDEÆ. 1. SANGUISORBEÆ (Alchemilla vulgaris) Ladies' Mantle. [Illustration: Ladies' Mantle.] Some species of this order, especially the Greater Burnet (Sanguisorba officinalis), were once much cultivated as food for cattle, but it is now superseded by other plants, especially Sainfoin. 2. CHENOPODIACEÆ (Beta vulgaris) Beet. (Spinacia oleracea) Spinach. [Illustration: Beetroot] The most important species of this order is the Beetroot, employed in France for the production of sugar. Its variety, Mangold-wurzel (Beta altissima), is also extensively used as food for cattle. 3. POLYGONACEÆ (Polygonum Fagopyrum) Buckwheat. (Rumex obtusifolius) Dock. [Illustration: Buckwheat]. Buckwheat is used as food in America and other places, and the root of the "Rheum palmatum" furnishes the Rhubarb of commerce. It is brought from Turkey; but is grown in China, and thence passes through the hands of Russians to Turkey. Other species of Rhubarb, as "Rheum compactum," are cultivated here for the sake of the leaf-stalk, which has an agreeable acid taste, and is much used for making tarts and puddings. 4. ELÆAGNACEÆ (Elæagnus angustifolia) Oleaster. [Illustration: Oleaster.] Some foreign species of the Oleaster are extremely fragrant, and others, especially those of India, produce a fruit of a pleasant taste and is there eaten. The Sea Buckthorn (Hippophæ Rhamnoides) is the only English species. 5. THYMELACEÆ (Daphne pontica) Spurge Laurel. [Illustration: Spurge-Laurel.] Some species of this order are cultivated in gardens and are very fragrant, others partake of a poisonous quality; the Daphne mezerium, the bark of which is very acrid, is used in medicine, and forms one of the ingredients in the celebrated compound decoction of Sarsaparilla. 6. CORYLACEÆ (Castanea vesca) Sweet Chestnut. (Quercus pedunculata) Oak. (Corylus avellana) Hazel Nut.