66 ENGLISH BOTANY. 



Var. /3, Gallica, 



Plate DCCXXXV. 



Eeich. Ic. Fl. Gem. et Helv. Vol. XVI. Tab. MXXXIV. Fig. 1. 



A. Gallica, WUld. D. G. Prod. Vol. VI. p. 102. Gr. & Godr. Fl. de Fr. p. 135. 



Branches of the panicle erect. Anthodes erect. 



In salt marshes and by the banks of ditches, by the sea, and 

 tidal rivers. Not uncommon in England, rare in Scotland, though 

 extending as far North as Forfar and Wigtonshire. Vars. a and 3 

 usually growing together, and about equally common. 



England, Scotland, Ireland. Perennial. Late Autumn. 



Kootstock woody, flexuous, branched or simple, producing 

 barren-shoots and flowering-stems, which are curved and almost 

 woody at the base, then erect, 9 to 20 inches high, unbranched up to 

 the panicle. Leaves of the barren shoots and lower part of the stem 

 bipinnate, those of the upper part pinnate, the uppermost simple, or 

 with a few segments at the base. Anthodes considerably longer than 

 broad. Inner phyllaries broadly scarious. Elorets yellowish or 

 reddish, usually five in number. Style with the branches terminated 

 by semicircular disciform ciliated stigmas. Plant varying mucli in 

 pubescence, generally quite hoary. 



Var. /3 has the branches usually shorter and more compactly 

 flowered as well as erect ; but there is no other character by 

 which it may be separated from var. a. Both varieties are in fact 

 very variable. 



Sea Wormwood. 



French, Armoise Maritime. German, Meerstrands Beifiiss. 



This jilant is found on salt marshes and moist cliffs. It has acquired a reputation 

 for fattening cattle, from the fact that animals feeding on the pastures ^¥here it grows 

 gain flesh ; but it is probably the richness of the pasture itself, and not the presence of 

 the wormwood, that produces this effect. 



AVithering tells us that it was formerly an ingredient in distilled waters, and was 

 at one time beaten up with thrice its weight of sugar, and formed into a conserve. It 

 possesses the same properties as the former species, but in a less degree. Withering 

 quotes Threkeld, who says, that in " Ireland the country people make it into sheaves 

 and bring it in cars out of the adjacent counties of Meath and Louth to Dublin, of 

 which alehouse keepers make their purl, great consumption of which is made iu winter 

 mornings." 



Tkibe III.— GNAPHALIE^. 



Leaves alternate. Anthodes generally heterogamous and 

 discoid. Elorets all tubular, the exterior ones generallv filiform 



