116 GUERNSE Y. 
believed to possess special virtues, and were employed medicinally, 
‘quod morbis mulierum uterinis medeantur.’ The ailments for 
which they were efficacious were supposed to be under the particular 
care of St. Margaret of Cortona: hence the name Margaret, or 
Marguerite. 
Chrysanthemum segetum, L. Corn Marigold. 
Colonist. First record: Gosselin, 1815. 
Rather rare, though occasionally found in great abundance. I 
have seen it in nearly every parish, but often only single plants. 
In the patois this plant is called A/zr/u, the local equivalent of 
‘as yellow as gold’ being ‘jaune coumme du murlu.’ Métivier 
traces the word from roots which signify ‘l’herbe mélancolique, 
soucieuse, le souci,’ thus connecting it with the Marigold, which 
in French is called Souci, but in Guernsey Soucigue. The very 
similar name JZul/u is used for C. segetwm by the people in the 
north of Normandy, C. Leucanthemum being distinguished as Mudlu 
blanc. The Corn Marigold is called in France Chrysanthéme. 
(Diotis maritima, Cass., the Cotton-weed, has been found in 
Alderney.) 
Artemisia Absinthium, L. Wormwood. 
Denizen. First record: Gosselin, 1815. 
Rare. Frequent along the coast west of Rousse Martello Tower, 
Coast at Pulias, sparingly. Scattered plants near Rocquaine Bay, 
near Vale Castle, near the Gouffre, and in the valley below Les 
Issues (v1I.). In these last stations perhaps garden escapes. 
Called in the patois A//éne, and in the French Adbsinthe. This 
plant is one of the most intense of vegetable bitters, and derives its 
name Wormwood from having been employed as a vermifuge. Its 
German name, Wermuth, is applied to a beer made from it, and to 
a liqueur called in France Vermouth. Wormwood is mentioned by 
the garrulous old nurse in Romeo and Juliet, 1. 3. 
Artemisia vulgaris, L. Mugwort. 
Native. First record: Gosselin, 1815. 
Rather rare. Found in all districts in waste places and old 
quarries, but more commonly in the north of the island. 
In Guernsey, as in Normandy, this plant is called Herbe St. Jean: 
the more general French name being Avmoise. The term MJugwort 
is said to be derived from an old English word signifying a maggot 
or moth, the plant being supposed to ward off the attacks of insects. 
An allied species, 4. Dracunculus, is the Tarragon of our gardens, 
in French £s¢ragon. 
Tanacetum vulgare, L. Tansy. 
Native or Denizen. First record: Babington, 1839. 
Rare. Near St. Saviour’s Church. Naftiaux Valley, and near 
