The small, grass-like leaves are rough-hairy, and green; they are set in pairs, joined about the stalk in a marked cup-like socket; the pairs occur at right angles to each other. The small flowers commonly have 5 petals apiece, but sometimes the number is scamped and they are contented with 4 instead; each petal is so deeply cleft as to give the appearance of being quite divided; the texture is thin enough to show the veins, the outer surface is glossy, and the color is white; the calyx has as many sharp-pointed divisions as there are petals, and is green; the 10 stamens are pale straw-color. The flowers form little groups on long stems which spring from the angles of the leaves in pairs. After the manner of the Pinks this nice little plant sets a blossom between the fork of the main stems. [Illustration: FIELD CHICKWEED: Cerastium arvense.] *Common Chickweed.* _Stellaria media._ Blossoming around dwellings in spring, summer, and autumn. Its weak-fibred stem, lopping over the ground, is green, and smooth, with a barely visible little line of hairs down one side. The small oval leaves have entire edges, and a smooth surface; they grow in pairs and are of a full green color. The 5 white petals of the small flower are so deeply notched as to look like 10 very narrow ones; they are shorter than the 5 green calyx divisions; the flowers grow singly on short foot-stems, from the leaf-angles. The Chickweed is a common plant of the dooryard, but without the usual obnoxious habits of a “weed,--” it is unobtrusive in demeanor, and, the roots having but a slight hold on the ground, is easily removed where undesired. It is a natural weather-glass, and can be trusted not to open its starry eye when rain threatens. The “Hen’s Inheritance” is an English folk-name for this plant. [Illustration: COMMON CHICKWEED: Stellaria media.] *Long-Leaved Stitchwort.* _Stellaria longifolia._ Found blossoming in June, in the tall grasses of wet meadows. This almost thread-like and weak-fibred stalk varies from 6 to 15 inches in height, and is branching and leafy, almost square, with somewhat roughened angles, and pale green color. The long grass-like leaves are very taper-pointed at each end, thin, and smooth, and in color full green, paler underneath; they are set upon the stalk in pairs, at long intervals. The flower is small; its 5 petals cleft so deeply as to give the appearance of double the number, very fine and delicate in texture, and pure white, the 5-parted spreading calyx being green, while the 10 silky thread-like stamens are white. The flowers, on long, slight stems, spring singly from the angles of the leaves. A few-flowered fragile plant, with its tiny star-flowers and sparse flat leafage, this Stitchwort loves to grow among rank sedges and swamp grasses, from whose sturdy rectitude it may claim support and protection. [Illustration: LONG-LEAVED STITCHWORT: S. longifolia.]