SEA-SIDE PLANTS. 39 



Covent Garden market from some extensive plan- 

 tation of this vegetable at Mitcham. 



Several of the goosefoots are commonly boiled 

 as greens for the table, and several are planted for 

 this purpose. Our own sea-side goosefoot is one 

 of the best of our native species for food. The 

 plant called Good King Henry, or mercury goose- 

 foot (Chenopodium Bonus Henricus), a very com- 

 mon kind, growing on waste places and way-sides, 

 with large dark green triangular arrow-shaped 

 leaves, was formerly very generally sown in gar- 

 dens for spinach, and is still planted in some 

 places, for it is very hardy, requiring little care, 

 and early coming into leaf. The name of good 

 was probably given to it, however, rather because 

 of its supposed virtue in healing wounds, than for 

 its excellency as a table vegetable. Our sea-side 

 species yields soda, and is often gathered for this, 

 with the saltwort and other maritime plants, from 

 shores where it abounds. This substance is largely 

 produced by several of the orache tribe; and, 

 indeed, almost all our sea-side vegetation furnishes 

 it in a greater or less degree. Some of the goose- 

 foots are common articles of food in Peru; and 

 when the mummy cases of the ancient Guanches 

 of Teneriffe have been opened, it has been found, 

 that among the aromatic plants used there in ancient 

 days to make this mortal frame immortal, the 

 Mexican goosefoot (Chenopodium ambrosioides) was 

 constantly present. 



The plant of our waste places near the sea, 

 called the stinking goosefoot, has been remarked 

 by M. Chevalier, to give out pure ammonia, during 

 its whole existence. Dr. Lindley remarks on this 

 fact : " This is the only observation on record, of 



