i4 FLOWERS OF THE BOGS AND MARSHES 



hio"h. It is in llower from May lo September, the berries maturing 

 late in the autumn. It is a shrub which may he propagated by layers. 



With its drooping flowers, which are small and purple, it is not very 

 conspicuous. The stamens are ten in number, and not longer than the 

 corolla, the filaments are bearded, and the short anthers are awned. 

 The style is not divided into lobes, but the stigma is blunt or dilated, 

 and the floral mechanism is much like that in ]'acLi)iiuni and Oxycocciis. 



The capsule splits up into 5 valves, and the seeds fall out and are 

 blown away also by the wind. 



Like other heath and bog i)lants this is a peat-loving plant, and 

 grows in a peat soil. 



The fungi Rhytisnia androiucdic and Exobasidiin)i andro»icd(C attack 

 Rosemary. 



Andromeda, a name given by Linn:eus, is from Andromeda, a 

 beautiful woman in mythology, daughter of Cepheus, king of Ethiopia; 

 and the second Latin name refers to the polished leaves. 



This rare plant is called Marsh Holy Rose, Moor-wort. Marsh and 

 Wild Rosemary. The name Rosemary is given because it was for- 

 merly placed with the Rosemary group. 



Many legends, &c., cluster around it. In Sicily they say it is 

 beloved by fairies. An old Spanish proverb connects it with love, 

 and has been thus rendered: 



" Who passeth b)- the rosemarie 

 And careth not to take a spraje, 

 For woman's love no care has he, 

 Nor shall he though he live for a}"e ". 



On St. Agnes' Eve it was used as a love charm. There is a proverb: 

 " While rosemar)' flourishes the lad\' rules". 



It was used in the bridal crowns, and at the ceremony was dipped in 

 scented water. Beaumont and Fletcher in the Scornful Lady ask: 

 "Were the rosemary branches dipi)cd?" Sprigs of it were once 

 carried at funerals: 



" To show their love the neighbours far and near 

 Follow'd with wistful look the damsel's bier; 

 Sprigg'd rosemar}- the lads and lasses bore, 

 While dismall)' the parson walked before". 



Gay writes of Rosemary sprinkled on graves. Formerly it was much 

 used at funerals and weddings, and garlands of Rosemary were laid on 

 the biers of unhappy lovers. 



