94 The Flora of Wiltshire. 



Localiti/. Dry pastures and banks, especiallj' in a chalk}' or 

 gravelly soil. P. Fl. May, June. Area, 1. 2. 3, 4. 5. 



In all the Districts. Stems 1 to 2 feet high. Lower leaves petio- 

 late, ovate, upper ones sessile and acute, all wrinkled with veins. 

 Corolla purple, small in proportion to the calyx ; upper lip concave, 

 compressed. 



Thymus, (Linn.) Thyme. 

 Linn. CI. xiv. Ord. i. 



Name. (Thymos) is a word used by old Greek authors, probably 

 from (thyo) to perfume, because it was used for incense in temples. 



1. T. SerpyVlmn, (Linn.) common or garden Thyme. SerpyUum 

 is a word used b}' Virgil to signify a kind of wild Thyme ; from 

 serpo, to creep, in allusion to its habit. En(/l. Bot. t. 1514. 



Locality. On heathy and chalky banks and pastures. F . Fl. 

 June, August. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 



Frequently distributed throughout the County. Stems filiform, 

 decumbent and rooting. Leaves elliptical-ovate, sprinkled with 

 resinous dots. Heads of Floioers terminal. Seeds seldom perfected. 

 Exceedingly variable in size, scent, and in the hairiness of the 

 foliage in different soils and situations ; but it is very doubtful 

 whether any of the cultivated Thymes derive their origin from 

 this as commonly supposed. 



The variety T. citrina occurs in some plenty on Monkton Far- 

 leigh down. {North-west District.) 



Cottony galls are sometimes observable on the wild Thyme; 

 these are supposed to be the nidus of a species Tephritis. 



T. Chamcedrys, (Fries.) stated in the "Flora of Marlborough" to 

 have been found at Pewsey by Mr. C. Stedman, must he referred to 

 T. serpyVlam, (L.) as I am informed by the Rev. T. F. Ravenshaw. 

 It is not unlikely this plant will ultimately be detected in Wilts. 



Origanum, (Linn.) Marjoram. 

 Linn. CI. xiv. Ord. i. 

 Name. From (oros) a hill, and (ganos) joy ; from the dry hilly 

 places of which the species are the ornament. Marjoram is a 

 translation of Marjorana. 



