84 FLOWERS OF THE HEATHS AND MOORS 



anthers spread out in a (lat disk and open aloni; their margins as in 

 Fragaria, and they are coated with pollen only along their edges. The 

 plant is visited by Apida;, Aiidreiia, Bombylidae, Systcechns, Svrphidae, 

 C/iryso/oximn, Mclithrcptcs, Chcilosia. The anthers and stigma ripen 

 at the same time. 



The fruit consists of achenes, which are dispersed when dry by 

 falling away from the parent plant, and so the plant is dispersed by its 

 own agency. 



Tormentil requires a sandy soil, and is therefore a sand-loving plant. 

 It is also found commonly on rock soils derived from granitic and older 

 aqueous rocks, which are more or less barren. 



A fungus, Phragmidinui tovDicntilhc, infests it, and it is galled by 

 Xcstophancs brcvitarsis. A beetle, Meligethes crythropus, a Hymenop- 

 terous insect, Andirita analis, a moth, Tcras caspcrsana, feed upon it. 



The second Latin name refers to its relatively erect habit. It is 

 called Biscuit, Blood-root, Earthbark, Ewe Daisy, Five-fingers, Flesh- 

 and-blood. Sheep's Knapperty, Sept-foil. Set-foil, Seven-leaves, Shep- 

 herd's Knot, Shepherd's Root, Thormantle, Tormentil, Turnmentille. 

 Sept-foil refers to the seven leaves, though there are often only five. 

 It is called Earthbark in the Shetlands. As it is very astringent it is 

 used for oak-bark in tanning. The name Blood-root arose from its 

 red root, and by Doctrine of Signatures it was used for dysentery. 

 Flesh-and-blood has the same origin. 



The plant was an old cure for ague. Because it was used to cure 

 toothache it was called Tormentil. It was also early used for stone. 

 The rootstock is woody, and yields a red colour to leather and wootl in 

 Lapland. For tanning leather the roots have been boiled in water, and 

 the leather steeped in the liquid when cold. A dye of a red colour has 

 been obtained from it. It is used for a gargle, and lotion for ulcerated 

 mouths and for sores. 



Essential Specific Char.\cters: — 



99. Potentilla crecta, Hampe. — Rootstock woody, stem ascending, 

 radical leaves quinate, petiolate, leaflets acute, 3-5, flowers small, cy- 

 mose, yellow, petals 4, carpels wrinkled. 



Heath Bedstraw (Galium saxatile, L.) 



This lowly but widespread plant is found in the North Temperate 

 Zone in Europe and West Siberia, but not in any early deposits. In 

 Great Britain it is found in all parts e.xcept in Hunts, Cardigan, Mid 

 Lanes, Stirling, and it ascends to a height of 3700 ft. in the Highlands. 



