94 The Romance of Wild Flowers 
evidence that it is insect-fertilised, even apart from 
the popularity of the cultivated Candytuft with 
insects. 
Although Woad (satis tinctoria) cannot claim our 
attention on account of its yellow flowers, which are 
very tiny, it is yet deserving a word because it has 
played an important part in our history. From our 
earliest lessons in that branch of knowledge, we have 
all been made acquainted that the ancient Britons 
were principally clothed in a more or less artistic 
design in blue. Czesar has recorded the fact that on 
this account they were designated brit or brith (whence 
Briton), which is Celtic for painted, and he further 
tells us that this pleasing stain was obtained from the 
juice of Woad. Well, that is a fact that should 
entitle an insignificant plant to respect, and it is not 
surprising to learn that the dyeing industry still finds 
employment for Woad in its operations, though it is 
as a mordant rather than an actual dye it is used to- 
day. The seed-pods differ in form from those already 
described; they have a thick wing all round the seed- 
capsule, and assume a pendulous attitude as soon as 
the petals have fallen. 
