130 The Flora of Wiltshire. 
shire, and in many parts of England, it is called Old Man’s Beard, 
from the hoary aspect of the long feathery awns of the seeds, which 
remain attached to the plant throughout the winter, and contribute 
to enliven the leafless hedges at that dreary season. In the absence 
‘of trees to cling to, it will run down the sides of stone quarries 
and chalk pits like long ropes, which its twisted fibrous stems 
greatly resemble. The slender flexile branches are sometimes used 
in this county, for binding copse-wood, and as a substitute for the 
more costly pipe or cigar to our young rustic smokers. The ele- 
gant term Viorna, implies that it is an ornamental wayside plant, 
being derived from Via a way, and orno I adorn. In France the 
twigs when stripped of their bark are worked into baskets, bee- 
hives, and other light articles. Desfontaines remarks that the 
young shoots are not corrosive while they are tender and herba- 
ceous, and a very good paper has been made from the feathery 
. parts of the seed. In a fresh state I have found the leaves and 
fruit acrid and vesicant. 
The North American “C. Virginiana,” frequently seen in gardens 
in Wiltshire, and greatly resembling this species, has ternate 
leaves, dicecious flowers, and a less woody texture. 
Txaricrrum (Linn.) Meapow Ruz. 
Linn. Cl. ‘xiii. Ord. iii. 
Name Thalictron (Gr.) from thallo to be green. 
1. T. flavum (Linn). Yellow or common Meadow Rue. Engl. 
Bot. t. 8367. Reich. Icones. ii. 44. 
Locality. Osier beds, banks of rivers and brooks, wet fields and 
ditches, not unfrequent in the county. Perennial Fl. June, July. 
Area 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 
South Division. 
1. South-east District, “ By the river side at Salisbury,” Mr. James 
Hussey. “Marshy places in meadows at Downton, and ditch banks 
about Fisherton Anger,” Major Smith. ‘“Bulford,” Dr. Southby. 
2. South Middle District, “Devizes,” Miss Cunnington. Erlestoke, 
Seend, and Trowbridge. | 
3. South-west District, “Warminster,” Mr. Wheeler. ‘ Boyton 
and river Nadder,” Mr. Rowden. 
