THE FLORA 133 



belief that "the divell, for the envie he beareth to mankind, 

 bitt it off, because it would otherwise be good for many 

 uses." W. 



"Gille-, Gille-guirmein 



Mu'n teid thu mu'n cuairt 



Buailidh mi mo dhorn ort " 



was rhymed (locally) by children as they held the unoffend- 

 ing flower in the left hand with the right closed in a 

 threatening attitude over it. The stalk was surreptitiously 

 twisted beforehand, and held in such a way as to allow the 

 flower-head to revolve only at will. 



S. arvensis, L. Field Scabious. Recorded by Messrs 

 Grieve & Miller. 



COMPOSITE (the Composite family) 



This is the largest order of flowering plants, comprising 

 over 10,000 species. British representatives are easily 

 recognised by their inflorescence ; the flowers are collected 

 into dense heads surrounded by an involucre, the whole 

 resembling a single flower, as the Daisy, Dandelion, etc. 

 Bitterness is their prevailing characteristic; some Worm- 

 wood (Burmaid), Southernwood (Meath Challtuinn ; 

 Surabhan, C.), Camomile (Camabhil) possessing, in 

 addition, aromatic secretions. The milky juice of Lettuce 

 (Liatus, C.) has narcotic properties. Sunflower seeds yield 

 oil. Another species of Sunflower, Jerusalem Artichoke 

 (a native of Brazil), furnishes edible tubers. The Globe 

 Artichoke (Farusgag) is grown for its succulent, immature 

 flower-heads. The blanched stems of Cardoons and the 

 roots of Salsafy and Scorzonera are used as vegetables. 

 Endive (Eanach Garaidh) is blanched for salad. The roots of 

 Chicory (Castearbhain), roasted and ground, are used (a not 

 unwholesome addition) to adulterate coffee. To the gardener 

 the ornamental species Sunflowers (Grian-bhlath, I.), Chrys- 



