202 The Flora of Wiltshire. 
form of a circle, and eradicating all other herbage. Flower central, 
generally solitary, large. Forets reddish purple, or crimson. 
Sitysum, (Garrt.) Mux Tuistie. 
Linn. Cl. xix. Ord. i. 
Name. A Greek word of uncertain origin and application to 
this plant. ; 
1. S. marianum, (Gaert.) Virgin Mary’s Thistle. The leaves of 
this plant are a deep glossy green, with milk-white veins, which 
give them the appearance of being marbled, a character which in 
the days of monkish superstition, was attributed to the milk of the 
Virgin Mary having fallen upon a plant of this species, whose 
descendants have retained the blessed stain; hence it is sometimes 
called, My Lady’s Thistle, Holy or Blessed Thistle. Carduus, Sm. 
Engl. Bot t. 976. 
Locality. Dry banks and waste ground, chiefly about houses ; 
occasionally. B. Fi. June, July. Area, 1. * 3. ** 
South Division. 
1. South-east District, “Milford Hill, not un-frequent,” Dr. 
Maton, “ Nat. Hist. Wilts.” Ona bank near the second mile-stone 
on the Downton road, between it, and the new cottages.” Major 
Smith. ‘ Neighbourhood of Salisbury,” Mr. James Hussey. 
3. South-west District, ‘Near Chapmanslade,” Miss Griffith. 
Perhaps scarcely wild in Wilts. Distinguishable at once by the 
white veins on its /eaves, and the great and curved scales of the 
involucre. Itshould be looked for in the northern part of the county. 
Sus-Orver III. Cicuortacem or LIicuLirtorZz. 
Flowers all ligulate and perfect. 
Lapsana, (Linn.) Nipprewort. 
Linn. Cl. xix. Ord. i. 
Named. from (lapazo) to purge, in allusion to its medicinal 
qualities. 
1. L. communis (Linn.) common Nipplewort Dock-cress. Engl. 
Bot. t. 844. 
Locality. Waste and cultivated ground, hedges, and newly cut 

