GRASS OF PARNASSUS 163 



and lost both, from want of a sufficient realisation 

 of their insistence on abundant moisture. "It 

 always groweth," quoth Parkinson, "in moist places 

 by Well sides, or other standing and sometimes 

 running waters, and sometimes also in moorish 

 grounds. It flowreth in May, but abideth greene 

 all the rest of the yeare, and perisheth not. It is 

 called Saxifraga aurea of most writers, from the 

 forme of the leaves and colour of the floures, 

 scarce anyone well knowing whereunto better to 

 referre it. Tabermontanus calleth it chrysosple- 

 nium." J This passage from Parkinson's " Theatrum 

 Botanicum," 1640, is interesting, showing as it does 

 that either one of the species being so much rarer 

 he was not conscious of it, or that the two species 

 being so alike he failed to recognise the difference, 

 and therefore writes all through in the singular 

 number. 



The grass of Parnassus Parnassia palustris is 

 another of the bog-loving plants that specially has 

 its home on the mountains and moorlands, and 

 is therefore chiefly found in the northern half of 

 Britain. Its sturdy growth and large white flowers 

 give it great distinction. We have had it for some 



1 Linneus, the father of modern scientific nomenclature, 

 did not necessarily destroy the work of his predecessors. 

 Tabernoemontanus, in his " Icones Plantarum," published at 

 Frankfort in 1590, calls the plant Chrysosplenium, and 

 Linneus, in his "Species Plantarum," published at Stock- 

 holm in 1762, confirms and retains the name. 



