FLOWERING PLANTS. 163 
they act as vesicants. It is said that moths will not touch clothes 
among which the dried stems are laid. 
Polygonum aviculare, L. Common Knotgrass, 
Native. First record: Gosselin, 1815. 
Very common and extremely variable. Var. littorale, Link. 
Frequent all round the sandy shores of the north and north-west. 
This variety closely resembles P. Razz, but is readily distinguished 
when in good fruit. 
Known in Normandy by the name of Zyvainasse. A curious 
superstition prevailed at one time in connexion with this plant. It 
was believed that if a boy drank an infusion of the stems and 
leaves it would arrest his growth: and it is to this belief that 
Shakespeare alludes in Ads. Nigh?s Dream, iii. 2 :— 
‘Get you gone, you dwarf, 
You minimus, of hind’ring knotgrass made.’ 
Polygonum Raii, Bab. Ray’s Knotgrass. 
Native. First record: Babington, 1839. 
Occurs not uncommonly all round the sandy coasts of the low- 
lands, but it must be carefully distinguished from the maritime form 
of P. aviculare, with which it often grows. In some places it is 
particularly plentiful, as at Rocquaine Bay and on the west side of 
Lancresse. Grows on the shingle at Lihou Island. 
Polygonum maritimum, L. Sea Knotgrass. 
Native. First record: Babington, 1839. 
Very rare. In 1890 I found one fine plant, much buried in the 
sand, at the north end of Rocquaine Bay. That appears to be the 
only instance of the occurrence of this species here within the last 
twenty years. Babington found it at Grand Havre more than sixty 
years ago: and Mr. Andrews informs me that there is a specimen in 
the British Museum, collected by H. C. Watson, from ‘the sands of 
Grand Havre, 1852 ;’ also a fine specimen of A. G. More’s, labelled 
‘Guernsey, 1859.’ During the last ten years a diligent search has 
been made for this plant all along the coast of the lowlands, but 
without success. 
Polygonum Convolvulus, L. Climbing Bistort. 
Native or Colonist. First record: Gosselin, 1815. 
A very common weed in cultivated ground in all parts of the 
island. Var. pseudo-dumetorum, Wats. Waste ground at 
Bordeaux, a few plants in 1899. 
In twining round a support, this plant, like the Hop, turns to the 
right: whereas the common Scarlet Runner Bean and the White 
Convolvulus turn to the left. It must be understood that the observer 
is supposed to stand within the spiral, otherwise the twining appears 
to take a contrary direction. 
