THE FUMITORY. 95 



the leaves are far more glaucous than in the more 

 usual form. 



The remaining species, the small-flowered fumi- 

 tory* (F. micrantha*), was discovered by Mr. D. 

 Stewart, in the vicinity of Edinburgh, since which 

 time it has been met with in several districts in the 

 east of Scotland. However, as yet it is only known 

 to us as a strictly local plant ; though it probably 

 may exist in other places which have not, as yet, 

 been sufficiently examined. 



The fumitory is generally distributed throughout 

 the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere, 

 and, as Mr. Bicheno remarks, is always found more 

 or less where the corn cultivation is good. In fact, 

 though a most persevering and troublesome weed, it 

 is one, the appearance of which every farmer should 

 hail, as it is an unfailing symptom of good, deep, 

 and rich, land, such as is peculiarly adapted for the 

 growth of corn, a circumstance not unnoticed by 

 England's greatest poet, who says, 



* # Her fallow leas 



The darnel, hemlocks, and rank fumitory- 

 Shoot upon."t 



And again, 



" Crowned with rank fumiterr, and furrow weeds, 

 With hemlock, harlock,$ nettles, cuckowe-flower, 

 Darnel, and all the idle weeds that grow 

 In our sustaining corn." 



* Hooker's " British Flora." 

 f "Henry the Fifth." J Charlock. "King Lear." 



