128 The Flora of Wiltshire. 



with the yellows, and browns, which predominate at that season. 



Spir^a, (Linn.) Spir^a. 

 Linn. CI. xvii. Ord. ii. 

 Name. From speirao (Gr.) to become spiral, in allusion to the 

 fitness of the plants to be twisted into garlands. 



1. S. Ulmaria (Linn.) Meadow-sweet. So called from the 

 resemblance of the leaf to the elm, (ulmus) or from its growing 

 with the elm in moist situations. The English name " meadow- 

 sweet" was given from the sweet scent of the flowers, which is 

 like that of the hawthorn, and perceptible at a considerable distance 

 in a calm atmosphere. Engl. Bat. 960. St. 18, 8. 



Locality. In moist meadows, wet woods, thickets and osier-beds, 

 by the sides of rivers, canals, streams and ditches. P. Fl. June, 

 August. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Frequent in all the Districts. 



2. S. Filipendula (Linn.) Common Drop wort. So called from 

 filiim a thread, and pendulus hanging, in allusion to the peculiar 

 structure of the root, the principal fibres of which enlarge towards 

 the extremity in the form of tubers, a provision of nature to enable 

 the plant to resist drought, it being almost the only instance in 

 its genus of attachment to arid situations. Engl. Bot. t. 284. 

 St. 18, 7. 



Locality. Not unfrequent in open dry chalky and limestone 

 pastures. P. Fl. June, July. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 

 South Division. 



1. South-east District, " Whiteparish Hill," Bev. E. Simms. "On 

 the Race-course Salisbury," Mr. James Hussey. "Amesbury," 

 Dr. Southby. " Pewsey Down," Bev. T. F. Bavenshaic. 



2. South Middle District, Not unfrequent on Salisbury Plain, and 

 about Stonehenge. 



3. South-west District, " Near "Winklebury," Miss L. G. Griffith. 

 " Warminster Downs," Mr. Wheeler. 



North Division. 



4. North-west District, Bos, and Rudlow. " Chippenham," Dr. 

 Alexander Prior, and Mr. C. E. Broome. 



5. North-east District, Roundway Hill. " Great Bedwyn," 



