FLOWERING PLANTS. 85 
Potentilla Tormentilla, Nesl. Zormentil. 
Native. First found: Gosselin, 1788. 
Very common in heathy places, commons, and barren pastures. 
Abundant on the cliffs. Var. procumbens, Sibth. I have found 
this variety in hedgebanks in several places, all of them being, 
curiously enough, in St. Andrew’s parish. There is a specimen of 
this form (mixed with two others belonging to the type) in Gosselin’s 
herbarium, labelled ‘edge of ditch south of Ivy Castle.’ 
Locally known in the rural districts of Guernsey as Herbe a 
paralysie, the belief being current that a ‘tea’ made of this plant will 
ward off paralysis. The specific name is derived from the Latin 
word ¢ormen, dysentery ; and Gardiner, in his Flora of Forfar, says. 
of this plant: ‘In cases of dysentery I have known a decoction of 
the root used with great efficacy; but, being a very powerful 
astringent, caution must be exercised in its administration.’ It is 
said to contain a larger proportion of tannin than any wood or 
bark. 
Potentilla fragariastrum, Ehrh. Barren Strawberry. 
Native. First record: Gosselin, 1815. 
Common in all districts on dry banks and walls. Begins to 
flower very early, often in the opening days of the year. The 
receptacle does not swell or become succulent as the fruit ripens, as 
in the case of the Wild Strawberry: hence its old name Fragaria 
sterilis, under which it figures in Gosselin’s list. 
Comarum palustre, L. Marsh Cinquefoil. 
Native. First record: Babington, 1839. 
Local and rare. Found only at Grande Mare, where the plant 
occurs in a good many places, so that it is less likely than some 
other species to disappear when the marsh is drained. 
Che roots yield a dull orange or reddish dye, which imparts 
a yellow colour to woollen stuffs. In some parts of Ireland milk- 
pails are stained with it, in order to give a richer appearance to 
the milk. 
Fragaria vesca, L. Wild Strawberry. 
Native (?). First record: Babington, 1839. 
Very rare. Hedge of the lane between Le Jardin and Wood- 
lands, extending for about twenty yards, and when I saw it, bearing 
ripe fruit. Mr. Derrick (who showed me the spot) has known the 
plant there for a great many years, and never heard of its having 
been planted. No other station is known in Guernsey, but 
Babington notes it in A/. Sarn. as found by him sixty years ago at 
St. Andrew’s. As F. vesca is common in Normandy, it may have 
occurred more plentifully in this island in ancient times: though 
in that case one would have expected to find it mentioned by | 
Gosselin. 
