332 THE STORY OF PLANT LIFE 



Snake's Head Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris). 



For a wild flower, and the plant is a true native, 

 this is assuredly a gem amongst many. Owing to 

 the peculiar shape of the flower, the first Latin name, 

 which means a dice-box, was bestowed by Lobel. 

 The second name is an old first name applied by 

 Dodonaeus and means a guinea-fowl. This refers to 

 the markings on the flower. The name Snake's Head 

 refers to the peculiar shape, also like a snake's head, 

 as well, perhaps, to the chequered markings like a 

 snake's scales. 



There is no doubt that in some parts of the country 

 the Fritillary is not wild, but an escape from cultiva- 

 tion, but in some of the south and east counties of 

 England, it appears to be native. In Scotland and 

 Ireland it is, however, not apparently indigenous. 



Moist meadows and pastures in the Thames 

 Valley and East Anglia are the habitat of the Fri- 

 tillary. It is thus a member of the marsh formation 

 or tracts that have been once marsh. 



In habit the Fritillary is like other plants more 

 or less lily-like. There is a small bulb with two to 

 three swollen scales. The leaves are alternate, linear, 

 or lance-shaped, flat, more or less acute. 



The scape bears a single flower which is terminal, 

 drooping. In colour the flowers are dull red, or 

 purple, with chequered light and dark markings, lines, 

 and spots. Occasionally white flowers are to be 

 found. There are a few short leaves on the scape. 



