HABITS AND LATIN NAMES OF BRITISH PLANTS. 471 



limbs become flaccid, lose their elasticity, and are no longer a place of confine- 

 ment. The Ant is a common plunderer of this honey." — Journal of a Naturalist. 

 See also note to Drosera. The ingenuity of Bees has been remarkably exemplified 

 in this species of Antirrhinum, and also in the Yellow Toadflax (Linaria vul- 

 garis), and some other plants whose flowers, from their long tubular formation, 

 deny admission to the broad head and thorax of the insect. Well knowing the 

 exact position of the prize he vainly seeks to obtain by usual means, he pierces J 

 the calyx as well as the tube with his horny proboscis, inserting it into the orifice, 

 and thus readily abstracting the honey. All the varieties of Snapdragon have 

 the power of maintaining a state of vegetation in great droughts, and their usual 

 stations are peculiarly exposed to the influence of the sun. Dr. ThrElkeld 

 assures us that during the prevalence of Popery, " many frivolous superstitious 

 fables were reported of the power of this plant against spectres, charms, and 

 witchcraft, rather savouring of rank heathenish magic, than comporting with 

 sound reason ; for the use of reliques, Agnus Deis, &c, are wicked trumpery, 

 and defending against the Devil's sword with the Devil's buckler." The whole 

 capsule has been compared to the skull of a calf; but the old name Calf's-snout 

 rather applies to the mouth of the corolla. A rude figure of this Snapdragon, 

 but which cannot be mistaken, exists in the famous Vienna manuscript of 

 Dioscorides, under the name of YLvvone^xXm, or Dog's-head, and is engraved in 

 Diosc. Ic, t. 103. 



Antirrhinum orontium, Lesser Snapdragon. — The capsule is ovate, with three 

 pores, each opening by a lid, and when nearly ripe it resembles the face of a 

 Monkey or Bat. 



Apargia. — Name of uncertain origin. Anxey"* was applied to some plant 

 of this tribe. 



Apargia autumnalis, Autumnal Hawkbit. — This has not been applied to any 

 particular use, nor is it, though common, a very troublesome weed. It varies 

 much in luxuriance, and is often found thriving in extremely poor land newly 

 turned up. 



Apium. — Isidore says it is so called from apex, the top, on account of its 

 head of flowers. Others, from Apis, a Bee, because they frequent it ; or from 

 ■mtios, Dor., aitios, mild. According to Hooker, from apon, water, in Celtic ; be- 

 cause it usually grows in watery places. 



Apium graveolens, Smallage Parsley, Wild Celery. — The whole plant, in its 

 native ditches, is acrid and dangerous, with a peculiar, rank, coarse taste and 

 smell. The effects of cultivation in producing from this plant the mild and 

 grateful Garden Celery, are not a little remarkable ; for which, and its name, we 

 are indebted to the Italians. Celery has now supplanted our native Alexanders, 

 Smyrnium olusatrum. According to the observations of Linnaeus, Sheep and 



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