ARABIS, BASTARD TOWER-MUSTARD: A genus of the filiquosa order, belonging to the tetradymania class of plants; and in the natural method ranking under the 39th order, Siliquosae. The generic mark consists in 4 nectiferous glands which lie on the inside of each leaf of the calyx. There are 8 species; but none of them remarkable for their beauty or other properties. Only one of these, the thaliana or mouse-ear, is a native of Britain. It is a low plant, seldom rising more than four or five inches high, branching on every side, having small white flowers growing alternately, which have each four petals in form of a cross, that are succeeded by long slender pods filled with small round seeds. It grows naturally on sandy ground or old walls. Sheep are not fond of it, and swine refuse it.