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because the tough and woodie roots are cumbersome unto them, by reason they do 

 staie the plough and make the oxen stande." The next plants of general interest 

 noticed were two species of Hypericum, the pretty little prostrate humifusum and 

 the perforatum, 



" Hypericon was there, the herb of war 

 Pierced through with wounds, and seam'd with many a scar." 



this genus from the colour of the flowers being universally brilliant yellow, and 

 from the raylike spread of its numerous stamens, has been named from Hyperion, 

 often used by the poets as a name for the sun itself. We had a fine over-look from 

 Garway Hill, bounded in the distance by the great backbone of the Black 

 Mountains dividing our county from that of Brecon, while in the valley below us the 

 river Monnow took its tortuous and silvery way to debouch into the Wye a little 

 below the county town of Monmouth. The pleasant breeze and delightful view 

 from the hill having been sufficiently enjoyed by those who had toiled to the summit, 

 the party made their descent, struggling through the dense growth of brackens 

 which clothed the steep slope. This plant, the Pteris aquilina, is applied to many 

 purposes, for not only whilst growing does it serve as a covert to deer and other 

 animals, but when dried is largely used as bedding for cattle, also for thatching, 

 and it is esteemed in the Highlands as a specific for rickets in children ; moreover, 

 when burnt, the ashes are used in the manufacture of soap and of glass. It 

 enhances the interest of the plant to the non-botanical rambler to be shown a 

 cross or oblique section of the stem which thus exhibits a good representation of 

 an oak tree in full leaf. Some fine specimens of veritable oaks and yews were 

 noticed in passing through Kentchurch park — two, one of each, being remarkable 

 for their size. The oak measured 32ft. Sin. at 5ft. from the ground : the yew tree 

 30ft., and a great Scotch fir behind it lift. 7in., also at 5ft. from the ground. A 

 herd of deer at a short distance lent life to the tranquil scene. Here was 

 observed the largest leaved native plant we have in this country — the great 

 Burdock, Arctium lappa — the derivation is from Arth (Celtic) a bear, on account of 

 the rough bristly fruit, and llap a hand, the idea being that it lays hold of 

 everything touching it. The burrs of this plant so worry sheep by entangling 

 their woolly coats, and cling to our clothes with such tenacity as to remind us of 

 the dialogue : — 



'• Rosalind — Oh, how full of briars is this work-a-day world ! 

 Celia — They are but burs, cousin, thrown upon thee in holiday foolery ; if we 



walk not in the trodden path, our very petticoats will catch them. 

 Rosalind — I could shake them off my coat ; these burs they are in my heart." 



— As You Like It, 1, 3. 

 The next plant noticed was the somewhat uncommon Verbena officinalis. Vervain 

 (herba sacra), a plant held sacred among the ancients, and used by ambassadors in 

 making leagues, in sacrificial rites, incantations, &c., and by the moderns as an 

 amulet hung around the neck, as '' une Herbe k tous maux." This plant occurred 

 near Mr. Trumper's house " The Lawns," growing on a rough stony bank. 



Virgil, Eel. viii., v. 65. " Verbenasque adole pingues et mascula tura." 

 Also Terence, in Andria. " Ex ara hac sume Verbenas tibi." 



