104 The Flora of Wiltshire. 



the stamens are all separate, although these genera possess all the 

 natural and efficient characters that those writers profess to warrant 

 them in placing Ulex in the class Diadelphia ! So difficult is it 

 for us to be consistent when wedded to a system, and when we 

 view nature through the false medium of our prejudices. 



Ulex, (Linn.) Furze, Gorse, or Whin. 

 Linn. CI. xvii. Ord. iii. 



Name. From ac in Celtic a point, in reference to the prickly 

 branches. 



1. U. Europceus (Linn.) European or Common Furze. Engl. 

 Bot. t. 742. 



Locality. On downs, dry barren fields, and pastures, also in 

 hedges, and waste places, by roadsides, &c., in most parts of the 

 county. Sh. Fl. February, June, and partially throughout the 

 year.^ Area, L 2. 3. 4. 5. Common in all the Districts.^ 



" The golden furze, unprofitably gay " — so sang the bard with 

 more of harmony than truth. Its domestic uses are numerous, 

 and to the inhabitants of many parts of considerable importance. 

 In the economy of nature who shall estimate its value ? And is it 

 nothing to contribute to the sum of human enjoyment by exciting 

 the most pleasurable sensations in the minds of those who are 

 capable of appreciating the Protean beauties of the vegetable 

 creation ? Its gayness is surely not " unprofitable " if it lead to 

 serious contemplation, and thus bring the creature into communion 

 with the Creator through the medium of His works. The immor- 

 tal Linnaeus, on his first arrival in this country, was so struck 

 with its glorious appearance, as, when in bloom it adorned the 

 breast of the otherwise barren heath (Putney) with masses of 



* The almost endless succession of flowers on this -well-known shrub gave 

 occasion to the proverb, When furze is out of blossom kissing's out of season. 

 An early if not quite total suspension of flowering takes place however after 

 Midsummer till the seed pods are matured, when a succession of blossoms 

 commences afresh, which in diminished numbers continue to deck the branches 

 till the following spring again clothes them in their {ichest attire. 



' " I never saw taller or more flourishing English furzes than at Chalke. 

 The Great Duke of Thuscany caiiied furzes out of England for a rarity in his 

 magnificent garden." Auhey's Nat. Hist, of Wilts, p. 63. 



