42 FLORA HISTORICA. 



some suppose from the adjective Bellus, pretty: 

 whilst others are of opinion that it was called Bellis 

 a bello, from its being found useful in the field of 

 battle, to heal the wounds of the soldiers, on 

 which account it has also been called Consolida. 

 It was formerly esteemed an excellent traumatic 

 plant ; the leaves and roots were used in wound 

 drinks, and were accounted good to dissolve con- 

 gealed and coagulated blood. Pliny tells us that 

 in his time it was used, in conjunction with mug- 

 wort, as a cataplasm to dissolve scrofulous tumours. 



The roots of Daisies boiled in milk were fre- 

 quently given to little puppies to keep them of a 

 diminutive size : but what effect this food would 

 have on the growth of the canine species, we must 

 leave to those who are curious in little dogs to 

 discover. 



Fabulous history informs us that this plant is 

 called Bellis because it owes its origin to Belides, a 

 grand- daughter to Danaus, and one of the nymphs 

 called Dryads, that presided over the meadows 

 and pastures in ancient times. Belides is said to 

 have encouraged the suit of Ephigeus, but whilst 

 dancing on the grass with this rural Deity she 

 attracted the admiration of Vertumnus, who just 

 as he was about to seize her in his embrace, saw 

 her transformed into the humble plant that now 

 bears her name. 



