THE SILVER-WEED AND THE SUCCORY 453 



gray colour, further enhanced during the summer 

 months by its bright yellow flowers. Scientifically 

 it is termed the Potentilla anserina, and is in 

 certain districts known as the goose grass, though, 

 apparently, without any particular reason, since 

 geese do not feed on it, certainly not in preference 

 to any other herbage. It is said to indicate poor 

 pasturage, and to be most frequent in moist, low- 

 lying lands. I have also seen it in the greatest 

 luxuriance on dry, thirsty uplands. The exquisite 

 shape of the leaf of this plant is hardly surpassed 

 by that of the agrimony, and it may be re- 

 cognized on the head of many a carved stall in 

 our older churches and Cathedrals. So striking 

 a plant was, of course, not without its supposed 

 medicinal virtues in former days, being used as a 

 specific for ague, sciatica, etc. The root, which 

 is long and somewhat similar to that of the 

 parsnip, is said to contain a considerable amount 

 of nourishment when roasted. Unlike the 

 majority of wild-flowers, the leaves retain their 

 beauty and freshness when dried. 



The succory may be reckoned as one of the 

 most useful of our wild-flowers, and, apart from 

 its utility, it is also one of the most beautiful. 

 This plant is said to be identical with the 

 garden endive ; and it is also from its roots that 

 chicory is procured, though the supply of this 

 article is mainly obtained from Germany. The 

 succory thrives best in those localities where 

 the soil is of a light, chalky, or gravelly nature. 



