2(}6 MONCECIA POLYANDR1A. 



Hob. Shady places rare. Near Netherbyres, llev. A. Baird. 

 May. If. 



The tuberous roots, when fresh, are acrid and dangerous ; 

 but, when dried, they afford a wholesome nutritious flour 

 fit for making bread, and sold for that purpose in great 

 abundance at Weymouth and in the Portland Island. 

 This flour is sometimes called " Portland Sago;" and Dr 

 WITHERING says, it forms also the " Cypress Powder," 

 sold at a high price, and undoubtedly a good and an inno- 

 cent cosmetic. 



273. POTERIUM. 



1. P. Sangmsorba, stem somewhat angular, thornless ; leaves 

 pinnate, leaflets rounded, serrated ; flowers in round heads of a 

 dull purplish colour. Salad Burnet. 



Hob. Dry hilly pastures. On Spindlestone hills. July. I/. 



The leaves taste and smell like Cucumber, and give that 

 flavour to salads, for which purpose this plant is very ge- 

 nerally cultivated ; and did it now possess those virtues 

 which were once attributed to it, no vegetable more de- 

 served to be so; for, says GERARDE, u it is thought to 

 make the heart merry and glad, as also being put into 

 wine, to which it yeeldeth a certaine grace in the drink- 

 ing." 



274. QUERCUS. 



1. Q. Robur, leaves deciduous, oblong, wider towards the ex- 

 tremity, their sinuses rather acute, lobes obtuse ; fruit-stalks 

 elongated. British Oak. 



Hob. Woods and hedges. April. 



The bark is extensively used in tanning leather ; the wood 

 is very hard and durable, fitted for many purposes, and 

 invaluable as the material of which our ships of war are 

 built ; the saw-dust is the principal material used in dye- 

 ing fustians ; the leaves]are astringent ; and on the acorns 

 squirrels and other small quadrupeds subsist, and swine 

 are fattened. 



In this neighbourhood, though unquestionably a native 

 of it, we have no trees which can give any idea of the 

 size and beauty which the Oak frequently attains, and 

 when it claims, as its undisputed right, to be the " Mon. 

 arch of the wood." It has ever been a favourite with 

 Britons. Under its shade, the Druids, the priests of his 



