118 COLONSAY 



P. erecta, Hampe. Tormentil. Braonan a' Mhadadh 

 ruaidh. Abundant in heaths and moors. The. roots were 

 boiled and strained, and the juice given, in milk, to calves as 

 an astringent. It was also given to human beings. Per., 

 July. Boots dye red. W. It is generally used for tanning 

 their nets by fishermen in the Western Isles, who call it 

 " Cairt-Lair." C. 



P. reptans, L. Creeping Cinquefoil. (A' Choig-bhileach.) 

 Edge of pool, Cul-Salach ; rare. Per., August. 



P. Anserina, L. Silver weed. Brisgean. Barr Bhrisgean, 

 C. Growing at the seaside down to high-water mark. The 

 roots were gathered and eaten raw and also boiled like 

 potatoes. The local value, in former times, attached to this 

 as an article of food may be realised from the fact that it was 

 termed "an seachdamh aran " (the seventh bread). Per., July. 



P. palustris, Scop. Marsh Cinquefoil. C6ig-bhileach 

 Uisge ; Cno Leana, C. Abundant in marshes. Per., June. 



Alchemilla, L. 



A. arvensis, Scop. Parsley Piert. Spionan Mhuire, I. 

 Common in dry situations. Ann., July. It was formerly 

 eaten raw or pickled. W. 



A. vulgaris, L., b alpestris, Pohl. Lady's Mantle. Dearna 

 Cridhe. Copan an Driuchd, C. Pastures. Per., July. 

 Owing to its astringent properties it is said to be fatal 

 to cows if they eat it in large quantities. W. A decoction 

 from the plant was believed to have the effect of restoring 

 faded beauty, and an application of the dew from the 

 leaves was credited with similarly happy results. 



Rosa, L. 



It is but fitting that the hybridiser should not have spared 

 his best efforts in procuring adequate representatives of this, 

 the queen of flowers, and the emblem of the " predominant 

 partner " in the Empire. From a comparatively small number 



