76 THE WILD-FLOWERS OF SELBORNE 



not uncommon custom to purposely intermix the seeds 

 of darnel with the grain from which the malt was made, 

 in order to enhance the intoxicating power of the beer. 

 In some parts of the country, as in Dorsetshire and in 

 the Isle of Wight, this plant is known as "cheat," from 

 its resemblance to the wheat amongst which it grows. 

 The seeds of the corn-cockle were also supposed in 

 former days to possess qualities highly injurious to 

 man. This handsome plant, with its upright downy 

 stem and fine purple flowers, is often abundant in 

 corn-fields, and it is difficult to prevent its large seeds 

 from becoming mixed with the wheat at threshing- 

 time. Gerarde, who rightly identifies corn-cockle with 

 Githago segetum, Desf., quaintly says : " What hurt it 

 doth among corne, the spoile of bread, as well in 

 colour, taste, and unwholesomnesse, is better knowne 

 than desired." It seems doubtful, however, if this 

 fine plant deserves so sweeping a condemnation. 



There is yet another plant which bears a bad 

 reputation from the same cause. This is the purple 

 cow-wheat (Melantpyrwn arvense, L.), " a gaudy but 

 most pernicious weed," with oblong seeds like black 

 wheat grains, which, becoming mixed with the corn, 

 is said to render the flour dark and unwholesome. 

 This plant is very local, but usually abundant where 

 it occurs, as in some parts of East Anglia, especially 

 of Norfolk, and in the Isle of Wight. In the latter 

 station, from Ventnor to St. Lawrence, in the corn- 

 fields above the Undercliff, and inland as far as 

 Whitwell, this truly splendid " weed " flourishes in 

 extraordinary abundance. It is the characteristic 

 plant of the locality. Seen for the first time, one is 

 amazed at the sight of this strange and showy species 

 growing in such remarkable profusion. It flourishes 



