124 GUERNSE Y. 
The word Dandelion, derived from the French dent de Zion, has been 
deemed inappropriate, inasmuch as the leaf in no way resembles 
the tooth of a lion or any other animal. But if we suppose the 
name to have been originally written in the plural, dents de Lon, its 
fitness becomes apparent at once. It is curious that the plant bears 
a similar name in many European languages. 
Sonchus oleraceus, L. Common Sow-thistle. 
Native. First found: Gosselin, 1788. 
Common throughout the island in cultivated and waste ground. 
A specimen in Gosselin’s herbarium is labelled Sonchus laevis. 
The patois name, like the French, is Zaztron, a word which 
suggests its milkiness, hence its local English name Milk-thistle. 
An old Latin name of this plant was Zactuca leporina, or Hare’s 
Lettuce ; and we are told that ‘ Yf a hare eat of this herbe in somer 
when he is mad, he shal be hole.’ Sow-thistles were formerly valued 
for their sprouts, which were eaten as a lettuce. 
Sonchus asper, Hoffm. Rough Sow-thistle. 
Native. First found: Gosselin, 1788. 
As widely diffused as the last species, but less common. I have 
noticed the var. g/andu/osus, C. and G., in Alderney. 
Sonchus arvensis, L. Corn Sow-thistle. 
Native. First record: Gosselin, 1815. 
Rather common in cornfields and cultivated ground : occasionally 
found on the seashore, among the shingle. 
(Sonchus palustris, Marsh Sow-thistle, is given in Gosselin’s 
list, but as there is no specimen bearing this name in his her- 
barium it is impossible to say what plant he meant. It was certainly 
not the true Sonchus palustris, 1.) 
Crepis virens, L. Smooth Hawksbeard. 
Native. First record: Gosselin, 1815. 
Common in all parts of the island. A very variable plant. The 
slender, diffuse, small-flowered form of Lancresse Common and the 
dry cliffs (var. diffusa, DC.) is quite unlike the type: yet the large 
erect form has been raised from the seeds of diffusa. Var. agrestis, 
W. and K. Ihave seen this variety in Guernsey in several places, 
but have kept no note of the stations. In 1898 Miss B. Agnew 
found it near Caudré Mill (v1.) and near Pleinmont Watch-house. 
Crepis biennis, L. Large Rough Hawksbeard. 
Colonist. First record: Marquand, 1891. 
Very rare. Hedge near the Catel Fairfield, a good many plants 
in 1890. Main road towards Vazon, many plants on the roadside in 
1894. 
