52 THE MUSIC OF WILD FLOWERS 



to say, it abounds at Winchester, where, in the Close, 

 at College, and on the ruins of Wolvesey : 



" The mouldering walls are seen 

 Hung with pellitory green." 



Its specific name, officinalis, reveals the connection of 

 the plant with herbalism. In mediaeval times it was 

 held to be of wonderful virtue in cases of " stone and 

 gravell," and also for " old coughs and hot swellings in 

 the throat." Other plants were sought after for their 

 commercial value. One stretch of city wall is covered 

 with a near relation of the wild mignonette, known as 

 dyer's-weed. It is a tall plant, with long spikes of pale 

 yellow-green flowers, and its English name, which goes 

 back to the days of old Gerard and the early botanists, 

 indicates the use made of it. It was prized for the sake 

 of the fine yellow dye which it produces, and we may 

 associate many a handsome bale of broadcloth or 

 woollen stuff sold, it may be, at St Giles' Fair in 

 mediaeval times, with the striking species which now 

 blossoms every summer on the city walls. 



An old wall often offers a sanctuary to some scarce 

 species which loves to nestle beneath its shadow and 

 protection. In the year 1850 a writer speaks of the 

 strange plant Aristolochia, or birthwort, as abundantly 

 established " under the old garden wall of the hospital 

 of St Cross, near Winchester. " It is a very rare species, 

 formerly in high repute for its supposed medicinal 

 virtues, and when found is mostly in the neighbourhood 

 of monastic ruins. At St Cross I have repeatedly 

 searched for it in vain, although I have little doubt that 

 it still exists in some hidden corner of the precincts. It 

 was with much interest that one day last summer I 



