436 



known men incapacitated for work, and laid up for days together in 

 harvest time, through the injurious operation of this noxious weed, 

 not one whom 1 have talked with on the subject but spoke feelingly 

 of the annoyance, often from his own painful experience. To myself 

 the odour of the bruised flower-heads is not unpleasant, nor, although 

 when chewed these last have a biting acrimony of brief duration, am 

 I sensible of any vesicating property on protracted handling of the 

 fresh plant or its seed, whilst others have experienced the usual bad 

 effects in a short time. I apprehend that long continued contact with 

 a moist and heated surface is required to produce such a result with 

 the generality of persons. A common and introduced weed in most 

 parts of North America to which colonization has extended, where, 

 however, it is by no means so troublesome and hurtful an intruder as 

 with us. I have picked it on the Misissippi as far south as Natchez 

 and New Orleans. 



Anthemis nobilis. On heaths, commons, and dry pastures, in very 

 many parts of the Isle of Wight, and often in great plenty. At 

 Springfield, near Ryde, and on St. Helen's Green. In a deep hol- 

 low by the road-side near the north end of Sandown village, very fine 

 and plentiful. On Lake and Blackpan Commons abundantly. Very 

 luxuriant on sandy banks at the foot of Bleak Down, and on earthen 

 fences near the pond by the road to Chale and Niton. Abundant on 

 the open, heathy parts of Bordwood. On Rookley Moors, and in pas- 

 tures by the Wilderness in plenty. Very exuberant on Kennerley 

 Heath, between Rookley and Bohemia. On Colwell, Apse and 

 Royal Heaths, &c. Quite a frequent species in most quarters of the 

 island, and perhaps not less so in the county generally. Near Ly- 

 niinoton ; Dr. Maton in Bot. Guide. Fareham Common, Peel Com- 

 mon in profusion ; Mr. W. L. Notcutt. Droxford Forest ; Rev. E. 

 M. Sladen. On Southampton Common, if I mistake not, but the 

 chamomile is so generally dispersed over the Channel district, that I 

 have neglected taking notes of its special localities. On our short, 

 open pastures the plant is quite depressed, and might escape observa- 

 tion did not the heedless passer-by force its fragrance from the sod 

 at every step, but on heaths and banks it is very luxuriant, growing 

 in large, decumbent tufts, and even at times quite erect. I found it 

 July 31st, 1844, sparingly on the moors near Rookley Wilderness as 

 very small plants, each bearing a solitary, globose head of perfectly 

 full or double flowers, as we see it in gardens, in which the aroma is 

 weaker than in the single aud wild state of this valuable and popular 

 tonic. 



