DIADELPHIA DECANDRIA. 157 



II. OCTANDRIA. 



213, POLYGALA. 



1. P. vulgariS) stems ascending, simple, herbaceous; leaves 

 linear-lanceolate ; bracteas 3, at the base of each flower-stalk, 

 deciduous ; wings about equal to the corolla ; flowers crested, 

 blue, pink or white. Milkwort. 



Hob. Dry hilly pastures, common. June, July. If 



III. DECANDRIA. 

 214. SPARTIUM. 



1. S. Scoparium, leaves ternate or solitary ; branches angular, 

 without thorns ; filaments all in one set at the base ; legume 

 fringed. Common Broom. 



Hal. Dry gravelly fields, and in deans. June. ?j 



The most celebrated station for the Broom in Berwickshire, 

 or perhaps in the United Kingdom, is Cowdenknows, an 

 undulatory rising ground, of great beauty, in the west of 

 the county. The broom extended over the whole hill, 

 and is said to have been so tall and luxuriant, that a man 

 on horseback, riding through it, could not be seen. 



' More pleasant far to me the broom 



So fair on Cowdenknowes, 

 For sure so sweet, so soft a bloom, 

 Elsewhere there never grows." 



But there it grows no longer, having been eradicated, to 

 give place to corn and turnips, and the other useful vul- 

 garities of the farm. It is still plentiful, however, in the 

 vicinity, and a relic of the " bonnie broom " from the 

 Knowes themselves, may still be gathered in the pleasure 

 grounds surrounding the mansion of the proprietor. 



A decoction of the young tops is a good remedy in 

 dropsies. " That worthy prince of famous memorie, 

 HENIIY VIII., King of England, was wont to drinke the 

 distilled water of Brome floures, against surfets and dis- 

 eases thereof arising." In the neighbourhood of Ghent, 

 Broom is sown with the view of improving poor sandy 



