MARSH MARIGOLD n 



depressions below the ovary, and is protected, as there are no petals, 

 by a fold which helps to retain it. The plant is homogamous, that is to 

 say the stigma and the pistil ripen at the same time, and in the ordinary 

 course, as they are more or less on a level, self-pollination would 

 result. But the flowers are much visited, and hence they are fre- 

 quently cross-pollinated. Furthermore, the anthers open away from 

 the centre or pistil, i.e. outwards, the outer series first. There are in 

 some countries flowers which have no pistil, a further reduction of 

 the floral axis, along with the ordinary type. 



The flowers are 40 mm. in diameter, and hence attractive. The 

 visitors are Diptera (Stratiomyidse), Odontomyia, (Syrphidae), Cheilosia, 

 Ascia, Rhingia, Eristalis, (Muscidse), Scatophaga, Anthomyia; Cole- 

 optera (Nitidulidae), Meligethes; Hymenoptera (Apidse), Andrena, 

 Osmia riifa, Bombus terrestris, Apis melli/ica, &c. 



The seeds are dispersed by the wind. The aggregate fruits con- 

 sist of many follicles, with many seeds which are blown out by the wind 

 when the follicle is ripe and dry. 



The Marsh Marigold is a peat-loving plant, being dependent on 

 a more or less peaty soil, or acid humus, such as that afforded by 

 a bog, or when alkaline by a marsh. 



Puccinia calthce is a fungus which infests it, as does Pseudopeziza 

 caltha. 



The beetles Donacia dentipes, D. lemnce, Prasocuris hannoverana 

 feed on it, and the Homopterous insect Dorthesia urticce. 



Caltha, given by Pliny, is the Latin name of some plant, probably 

 the Pot Marigold, and palustris refers to its marshy habitat. The 

 English name is from Mary (i.e. Virgin Mary), and gold, in allusion 

 to its colour. 



This plant is called Bassinet, Blob, Boots, Bullflower, Butter-blob, 

 Big Watercup, Great Butter-flower, Carlock-cups, Chirms, Claut, Crow 

 Cranes, Crazy, Dandelion, Drunkard, Fire o' Gold, Water Goggles, 

 Golden Cup, Gollin, Halcups, John Georges, Johnny Cranes, King- 

 cob, Marsh Mallow, Mare-blob, Mayflower, Meadow Bouts, Moll-blob, 

 Publicans and Sinners, Soldier's Buttons. In Oxfordshire Marsh 

 Marigolds and Buttercups are called Publicans and Sinners. 

 "The wild marsh marigold shines like fire." Tennyson: 



alluding to the name Will (Wild) fire. It is called Open Gowan from 



its open flowers, as opposed to the closed flowers of the Lockin Gowan. 



It is said in Iceland that if the Marsh Marigold is taken with 



certain ceremonies and carried about it will prevent the wearer from 



