UMBELLIFERiE. 141 



SPECIES I. -ME UM ATHAMANTICUM. Jacq. 



Tlate DCV. 



Eeili. Ic. Fl. Germ, et Helv. Vol. XXI. Tab. 1932, Fig. 1. 

 Billot, Fl. Gall, et Germ. Exsicc. JSTo. 27. 

 Athamanta Meum, Linn. Sp. Plant, p. 53. 

 Ligusticum Meum, D. C. Fl. Fr. Vol. IV. p. 310. 



Stem slightly branched. Leaves twice or thrice pinnate, with 

 the leaflets cut into numerous short setaceous acute segments, not 

 all in one plane. Involucre of few leaves ; involucels sub-dimidiate. 



On mountain pastures. Not uncommon in Wales, the North 

 of England, and Scotland, but not extending to the extreme North 

 of the latter country. 



England, Scotland. Perennial. Summer. 



E/Ootstock elongated, dark-brown, nearly smooth, the upper 

 portion densely clothed with the fibrous remains of decayed leaf- 

 stalks. Stem erect, 9 inches to 3 feet high, very slightly branched, 

 and with few leaves. Radical leaves stalked, w'ith the stalk about 

 as long as the lamina, which is rhomboidal-triangular ; leaflets 2 or 

 3 times cut or forked into hair-like divisions, spreading in all 

 directions, |- to J inch long ; stem-leaves similar to the others, but 

 less divided., and with much-dilated sheathing petioles. Umbels 

 with 10 to 20 rays, f to 2 inches long ; pedicels |^ to f inch long. 

 Elowers n) iiich across, scarcely radiant, white often tinged with 

 pink, many of the interior ones often male ; petals roundish-oval, 

 slightly notched at the summit. Cremocarp \ inch long, olive- 

 chestnut colour, with the ridges yellowish-brown, prominent and 

 keeled ; mericarps with 4 or 6 vittse on their commissural face. 

 Plant bright dark-green, glabrous. 



Bald- Money. 



French, Meum Athamante. German, Eaarbldttrige Barvmrz. 



The origin of the English name of this species of plants is variously given ; it is 

 known as Spignel-meu and Bald-money ; bald, it is said, being the conniption of Balder, 

 the Northern deity to whom it was dedicated. Dr. Prior, however tells us that " it is 

 a corruption of the Latin valde bona, very good, as we learn from the Grete Hei'bal, 

 where, speaking of Sistra, the author says : ' Sistra is dyll, some call it mew, but that 

 is not 30. Howbeit, they be verylike in proprieties and vertue, and be put eche for 

 other ; but Sistra is of more vertue than mew, and the leaves be lyke an herbe called 

 valde bona, and beareth small sprigs as sj^iknarde. It groweth on bye hylles.' " In 

 the Highlands, where it grows, the root is eaten, and is esteemed as a carminative and 

 stomachic. The fruits have the same properties, and are aromatic and hot in taste. 

 The whole plant possesses these qualities, and communicates them to milk and butter 

 made from cows feedinsc on it. A strong infusion of the herb is said to give to cheese 



