MARSH MARIGOLD ii 



depressions below the ovary, ami is protected, as there are no petals, 

 by a fold which helps to retain it. The plant is homo<;amous, that is to 

 say the stigma and the jiistil ri[)en at the same time, and in the ordinary 

 course, as they are more or less on a level, sell-pollination would 

 result. Rut the Howers are much visited, and hence they are fre- 

 quently cross-pollinated. Furthermore, the anthers open away from 

 the centre or pistil, i.e. outwards, the outer series first. There are in 

 some countries flowers which have no pistil, a further recUiction of 

 the tloral a.xis, along with the ordinary type. 



The flowers are 40 mm. in diameter, and hence attractive. The 

 visitors are Diptera (Stratiomyidee), Odontoviyia, (Syrphidce), Cheilosia, 

 ^■Isiia, Rhingia, Eristalis, (Muscidie), Scatophaga, Anthoviyia; Cole- 

 optera (Nitidulidie), Mcligethcs; Hymenoptera (Apida;), Andrcua, 

 OsDiia rufa, Boinbns tcrrcstris, jlpis vicllijica, &c. 



The seeds are dispersed by the wind. The aggreoate fruits con- 

 sist of many follicles, with many seeds which are blown out by the wind 

 when the follicle is ripe and dry. 



The Marsh Marigold is a peat-loving plant, being dependent on 

 a more or less peaty soil, or acid humus, such as that afforded by 

 a bog, or when alkaline by a marsh. 



Puccinia caltlue is a fungus which infests it, as does Pseitdopeziza 

 caltlur. 



The beetles Dojiacia dcii/ipcs, D. Icniiur, PrasociiJ-is haiiiioi'crana 

 feed on it, and the Homopterous insect Dorthcsia urticcc. 



Caltha, given by Pliny, is the Latin name of some plant, probably 

 the Pot Marigold, and paiitstrn refers to its marshy habitat. The 

 English name is from Mary (i.e. Virgin Mary), and gold, in allusion 

 to its colour. 



This plant is called Bassinet, Blolj, Boots, Bullflower, Butter-blob, 

 Big Watercup, Great Butter-flower, Carlock-cups, Chirms, Claut, Crow 

 Cranes, Crazy, Dandelion, Drunkard, iMre o' Gold, Water Goggles, 

 Golden Cup, Gollin, Halcu|)s, John Georges, Johnny Cranes, King- 

 cob, Marsh Mallow, Mare-blob, Mayflower, Meadow Bouts, Moll-blob, 

 Publicans and Sinners, Soldier's Buttons. In Oxfordshire Marsh 

 Marigolds and Buttercups are called Publicans and Sinners. 



"The wild marsh maric^okl siiines like fire." — Tctniyxon: 



alluding to the name Will (Wild) fire. It is called Open Gowan from 



its open flowers, as opposed to the closed flowers of the Lockin Gowan. 



It is said in Iceland that if the Marsh Marigold is taken with 



certain ceremonies and carried about it will pre\'ent the wearer from 



