338 The Flora of Wiltshire. 



membranous, reticulated, scarcely tuberculated. Sepals reflexed. 

 Whorls approximate, leafless, leaves oblong, sagitate. The leaves 

 are very variable in shape, but the lateral lobes are never divaricate, 

 though sometimes they are separated by an obtuse instead of acute 

 angle. 



8. R. Acetosella, (Linn.) Sheep's Sorrel. Eng. Bot. t. 1674. 



Locality. Hedge-banks and dry gravelly places. P. Fl. May, 

 Jtily. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Recorded in all the Districts. Enlarged 

 petals ovate, not tuberculated. Lower Leaves lanceolate hastate, 

 lobes entire, very variable in breadth. Smaller in every part than 

 the last, acid, and turning in the autumn of a rich red colour. 



Polygonum, (Linn.) Polygonum, or Knot-Grass. 

 Linn. CI. viii. Ord. ii. 



Name. A word used by Pliny, compounded of (polus), many, 

 and (gomi), a joint, from the numerous joints or knots in the 

 species. 



1. P. Bistorta, (Linn.) great Bistort Snakeweed. Bistorta is a 

 Latin noun, compounded of his, twice, and tortus, twisted ; hence 

 the English Snakeweed. Engl. Bot. t. 509. 



Locality. In woods and moist meadows. P. Fl. June. Area, 

 * * 3. 4. 5. 



South Division. 



3. South-west District, "Near Dinton," Mr. James Siissey. "In 

 a deep cutting going up Black Dog Hill, near Warminster," Bev. 

 E. Peacock. 



North Division. 



4. North-west District, By the side of the stream near the " Mill," 

 at Rowdeford, Devizes. " Wet woods on Kingsdown, and Monkton 

 Farley Avenue," Flor. Bath. "Meadows near Ford," Dr. Alexander 

 Prior. 



6. North-east District, "Between the Forest and Martinsell 

 Hill," Mr. Beebs. "New Mill," Flor. Marlb. Rather a local 

 plant, and not frequently distributed in Wilts. Floicers fresh- 

 coloured, on short foot-stalks, with small bracteas at their base. 

 Boot large, tortuose very astringent. 



