The long and narrow oval leaf is sometimes 2 and 3 inches long and only ½ an inch in width; its texture is thin, its surface very smooth, and the margin entire. The color is a light yellow-green. The leaves clasp the stalk in pairs, which occur at right angles to each other, and are near together. The flowers are about half an inch across, otherwise in color and shape exactly resembling _L. quadrifolia_; they are set on inch long stems, and arranged in irregular rings about the stalk, forming a noticeable feathery spike, 5 or 6 inches in length. The blossoms open first at the bottom of the spike, several rings flowering at one time. The branches occur in pairs, symmetrically. [Illustration: SPIKE LOOSESTRIFE: L. stricta.] *----* _Steironema ciliatum._ Found in low places, and among shrubby growths, in July. The single, smooth, 4-angled stalk is from 2 to 3 feet in height, and a shining, light green color, sometimes bronzy. The leaf is long oval, blunt or very slightly heart-shaped at the base, tapering to a long and very sharp tip; the margin is entire, the ribs noticeable, and the upper surface is velvety to the touch; the color light green. The leaves are set on short stems, which are fringed with erect hairs along their upper edges, and arranged in pairs, the pairs being at right angles to each other. The rather large corolla has 5 divisions of a rounded oval shape with an abrupt little tip; their outer margin is somewhat puckered, the texture thin, and the color a pure light yellow,--about their bases is a reddish marking that makes a ring in the center of the flower; the 5 erect stamens are straw-color, and the long pistil is green; the calyx is 5-parted, and full green in color. The flowers, on slender foot-stems, are placed by twos and fours on leafy stems, that spring terminally, and from the angles of the leaves. This handsome plant takes kindly to garden cultivation. [Illustration: ---- Steironema ciliatum.] *Common Pimpernel.* _Anagallis arvensis._ *Poor Man’s Weather Glass.* Found in waste places and sandy soil, from June to September. The several stems of this spreading plant lie upon the ground in a close mat; they are square, the sides being twisted; smooth, shining, and light green. They are commonly about 6 inches in length, but vary somewhat. The small oval leaf is widest at the base, entire, weak and loose in texture, and dull green, the under side speckled with faint purple dots. The leaves occur in pairs at regular intervals.