226 FLORA HISTORICA. 



by nature. Great quantities of these dried and 

 stained flowers have of late years been imported 

 into this country, for the purpose of decorating 

 the head-dresses of our belles, as well as orna- 

 menting our chimney-pieces; for although it is a 

 plant of long standing in our gardens, its cultiva- 

 tion has never been attempted on a large scale for 

 the market. 



The ancients crowned the images of their gods 

 with garlands made of these flowers, and from 

 hence they were frequently called God's Flowers. 

 In Spain and Portugal they are still used to deco- 

 rate the altars and the images of the Saints. 



The generic name of this genus of plants is 

 derived from the Greek 7va(paXov ; and the Latins 

 also called them Gnaphalium, from the downy or 

 cottony nature of the leaves or stalks, which they 

 collected to fill their couches and mattresses, instead 

 of wool or flocks Pliny tells us that it was also 

 called Chamcczelon^ which signifies low or ground 

 cotton; and it was sometimes named Albinum, from 

 the whiteness of the leaves and stalks. 



We possess five native species of these plants, 

 which Dr. Turner observes was called Cud-weed 

 in Yorkshire, whilst in Northumberland it was 

 named Chafe- weed, because it was used to cure 

 chafed flesh. In addition to these names, Gerard 

 adds that of Cotton-weed; and S2-)eaking of the 



