16 



FAMILIAR WILD FLO WEES. 



downland it may often be met with, not on the slopes or 

 summits, but in the depressions, the greater dampness of 

 these being favourable to its development, and we have 

 often, in such localities, seen large surfaces of ground of 

 which it has taken almost exclusive possession. 



The plant ordinarily commences flowering about the 

 middle of May, and continues in blossom throughout 

 the summer, and a few laggard flowers may even be met 

 with so late as October. May, June, and July may, how- 

 ever, be taken as the time when the plant is in its best 

 state, and producing most lavishly its striking and con- 

 spicuous golden flowers. 



No medicinal or commercial value is now attached to 

 the plant, though naturally in the Middle Ages, when almost 

 everything had its healing powers firmly believed in, the 

 silverweed was laid under contribution, and like almost 

 all our wild plants, was employed to relieve a number of 

 ailments sciatica, ague, inflammation, for example of 

 the most varied nature, but all at least agreeing iu 

 acknowledging the potency of the little silverweed, as 

 the one remedy for them all. 



