HABITS AND LATIN NAMES OF BRITISH PLANTS. 307 



tively of no value, and appears to be left untouched by every description of cattle. 

 A large portion of the seeds of this plant are yearly destroyed by a minute 

 orange -coloured maggot. The seeds are also acceptable to Pheasants, Partridges, 

 and smaller birds. 



Alopecurus bulbosus, Bulbous Fox-tail Grass. — This plant seems by Nature a 

 meadow Grass, and Dr. Anderson suggests that, as its matted roots give an 

 unusual firmness to the surface of the ground, it may be serviceable to prevent 

 soft and moist soils from being poached by the feet of cattle. 



Alopecurus geniculates, Floating Fox-tail Grass, Geniculate Fox-tail Grass. — 

 In dry situations, as on walls, &c, the leaves and stem are greatly diminished 

 in size, and the roots become bulbous, with excessively long fibres. This trans- 

 mutation has sometimes occasioned A. geniculates to be mistaken for the real 

 A. bulbosus. 



Alopecurus Alpinus, Alpine Fox-tail Grass. — This plant seems quite unknown 

 to botanists abroad, and is very rare indeed in this country. It is, however, 

 plentiful in North America and Spitzbergen. 



Althcea. — AxOxtx, from «x(W, to heal. So named from its healing qualities. 



Althcea officinalis, Marsh-mallow, Mymote. — The whole plant, particularly the 

 root, abounds with mild mucilage. The root, boiled, is much used as an emollient 

 cataplasm, and an infusion of it is very generally prescribed in all cases wherein 

 mild mucilaginous substances are useful. Of several officinal preparations from 

 this herb, the syrup alone is now retained. Mallows have not only been long 

 celebrated for assuaging wounds, but were used to decorate the graves of our 

 ancestors ; and so indispensable were they deemed to each domicile of the living, 

 that, as a matter of decided ill omen, the poet exclaims — ■ 



" Alas, when Mallows in the garden die." 



Alyssum. — From a, neg., and \vavx, the bite of a mad Dog ; it formerly being 

 considered efficacious against hydrophobia. 



Alyssum maritimum, Sweet Alyssum. — It is commonly cultivated in gardens, 

 for its agreeable honey-like scent ; and is considered a valuable acquisition to the 

 apiarian border. 



Amaranthus. — From a, not, and (Axpxiiu, to decay. Flowers which do not 

 fade, commonly called " everlasting flowers.'' 



Ammophila. — Named from x^os, sand, and <pt\os, a lover, on account of its 

 locality. 



Ammophila arundinacea, Sea Mat- weed, Marram, Sea-reed (Starre or Bent, in 

 Scotland). — This Grass grows only on the very driest sea-shores, and prevents 

 the wind from dispersing the sand over the adjoining fields, which is not unfre- 

 quently the case where this plant is wanting. Many a fertile acre has been 



