236 FLORA DOMESTICA. 



MARSH-MAEYGOLD. 



CALTHA PALUSTRIS. 



RANUNCULACE^. POLYANDRIA POLYGYNIA. 



The name Caltha signifies in Greek a basket, and refers to the ap- 

 pearance of the flower when not fully expanded. — French, le populage; 

 le souci d 'eau [water marygold] ; le souci de marais ; souchet d 'eau. 

 Italian, calta palustre ; sposa del sole [spouse of the sun] ; popu- 

 laggine. 



The Marsh-marygold makes a brilliant appearance in 

 the meadows in March and April, and sometimes even as 

 early as February. The flower-buds, gathered before they 

 expand, are said to be a good substitute for capers ; and 

 their juice, boiled with alum, stains paper yellow. On 

 May-day the country people strew these flowers before 

 their doors, and twine them in their garlands. In Lapland 

 it is the first flower that announces the approach of spring, 

 although it does not there appear till the end of May. 

 The double variety is preserved in flower gardens for its 

 beauty, which lasts longer than in the single flowers, 

 although blowing later. It blooms throughout May and 

 June. This plant is increased by parting the roots in 

 autumn: it likes the shade, and must be allowed more 

 water than other Marygolds ; for its natural place of 

 growth is — 



" Not the sunny plain, 



But where the grass is green with shady trees. 

 And brooks stand ready for the kine to quaff." 



Amarynthus. 



