160 COLONSAY 



Per., September. The fruiting spikes are gathered in the 

 green state and used for feeding caged birds. 



P. lanceolata, L. Ribwort Plantain ; Rib Grass. Slan- 

 lus. Abundant in pastures, and one of the most commonly 

 used herbs for medicinal purposes. It was pounded inta 

 pulp and laid over wounds and used as an ingredient in the 

 healing ointments. Bi. or Per., July. It was formerly 

 cultivated on the mainland as a forage plant. 



P. maritima, L. Seaside Plantain. Feur Saille. Com- 

 mon at the seaside. Cattle are fond of it, and it is believed 

 to improve the yield of cream and butter. It was gathered 

 for pet rabbits. Per., July. 



P. maritima, var. glabrata. Uragaig shore. September. 



P. coronopus, L. Buckshorn Plantain. Star of the Earth. 

 Abundant in dry situations near the shore. Bi., July. It 

 was formerly cultivated in this country for the leaves, which 

 were used in salads ; it is still grown in France. 



Littorela, Bergius. 



L. uniflora, Aschers. Shore-weed. Abundant along the 

 shallow, stony margins of the lochs. Per., July. 



ILLECEBRACE^E (the Illebrecum family). 

 Weedy herbs or shrubs abounding in the more sterile 

 tracts of temperate regions. 



Sderanthus, L. 



S. annuus, L. Knawel. Cobhair Mhuire, I. A small 

 annual of fields and waste places, recorded by Mr Somerville. 



AMARANTHACE,E (the Amaranthus family) 

 A large tropical order, several foreign species of which are 

 becoming naturalised in this country. Tender varieties 

 Love-lies-Bleeding (Lus-a-Ghraidh, C.), Prince's Feather, 

 Cockscomb are grown in gardens. 



