CHENOPODIACER. 25 
but as the plant was formerly much cultivated as a potherb, it is almost 
impossible to say in which of its stations it is native and in which it is 
introduced. Frequent throughout Ireland, but possibly not native 
there. 
England, Scotland, Ireland. Perennial. Summer. 
Very unlike all the other species of Chenopodium in habit, and 
differing from them in its perennial rootstock and elongate stigmas. 
Stem stout, bluntly angular, 1 to 2 feet high or more. Leaves resem- 
pling those of spinach, the lower ones on very long petioles, the lamina 
of the larzest 2 to 5 inches long, the sharp apex of the basal lobes 
usually spreading, but sometimes inclined backwards; the margins 
zenerally entire and undulated; indeed, I have never seen them with 
any teeth, except immediately above the basal cusp. Spikes 3 to 2 
inches long, arranged in a very long narrow panicle, of which often 
as much as 3 or 4 inches at the apex is destitute of leaves. Stigmas 
(or rather stigmatiferous styles) spreading, usually 2, but sometimes 3. 
Seeds pitchy black, as large as rape seed, less compressed than in the 
other species of the genus; the terminal ones of the spikes horizontal, 
larger, and reniform-subglobular. Pericarp adhering very closely to 
the seed, and giving it a wrinkled appearance; when it is rubbed off 
the surface appears smooth, except under a high magnifying power. 
Plant deep green, the stem and under side of the leaves clothed with 
minute pellucid vesicles, which make the plant somewhat soapy to the 
touch; stem striped with green and white or red; perianth yellowish- 
ereen or tinged with red. 
In this plant the anthers vary from 2 to 5, and, according to Smith, 
they are sometimes wholly absent in some of the flowers, so that these 
become polygamous. 
Allgood. 
French, Ansérine bon Henri. German, Guter Heinrich. 
In Dr. Prior’s valuable little book on the “ Popular Names of British Plants ” we 
read thus :—‘ Good Henry, or Good King Harry : German, Guter Heinrich ; Dutch, 
Goeden Henrik. An obscure name, which Dodeeus tells us was given to the plant to 
distinguish it from another, a poisonous one, called Malus Henricus ; but why they 
were either of them called Henricus, we are not told. Cotgrave gives the name Bon 
Henry to the Roman Sorrel, Rwmex Scutatus, as well as to the Allgood, the plant to 
which it is usually assigned. Cordus on Dioscorides, Frankf, 1549, calls it ‘ Weyss 
heyderich, vel ut alii volunt, Gut heynrich.’ It has nothing to do with our Harry the 
Highth and his sore legs, to which some have thought it referred.” One writer sug- 
gests that this plant was named after Henry the Sixth, who bore, in his own days, 
the name of Good King Henry, and, as he founded Eton College, he was doubtless a 
favourite with the monks, from whom many of our plants received their names. Dr. 
Withering tells us that a French writer says, “ This humble plant, which grows on 
our plains without culture, will confer a more lasting duration on the memory of 
Henri Quatre than the statue of bronze placed on the Pont Neuf, though fenced 
VOL. VIII. E 
