258 



The Flora of Wiltshire. 



1. L. Periclymenum (Linn.) common Honeysuckle. The namo 

 Periclymenum is derived from (peri), around, and (kulio) to roll. 

 Eng. Woodbine. Engl Bot. t. 800. 



Locality. "Woods, and hedges, Shrub. Fl. June, September, Fr. 

 August, October, Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Generally distributed. This 

 is the true Woodbine of poets : 



" So doth the woodbine, the sweet honey suckle, 

 Gently twist the maple." 



In this shrub is seen an exemplification of that curious natural law 

 that governs the movement of twining plants, in obedience to which 

 the stems and tendrils of each species constantly twine in the same 

 direction. The Woodbine for instance always twines from left to 

 right, and the Convolvulus sepium does the same ; while the Tamus 

 communis takes the opposite direction, twining from right to left. 

 A variety, /S. foliis quercinis (oak-leaved), occurs not uncommonly 

 in newly cut woods, and is probably a mere accidental variation 

 produced by cutting strong plants down to the ground. 



ORDER. RUBIACE^]. (JUSS.) 

 Sherardia, (Linn.) Sherardia or Field Madder. 

 Linn. CI. iv. Ord. i. 

 Named in honour of James Sherard, an English botanist and 

 patron of that science, whose fine garden at Eltham in Kent gave 

 rise to the famous " Hortus Elthamensis " of Dillenius. 



1. S. arvensis (Linn.) blue Sherardia, or corn-field Madder. 

 Engl. Bot. t. 891. 



Locality. In fallow fields, and among corn, especially on a light 

 gravelly or sandy soil, frequent. A. Fl. May, July. Area, 

 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. In all the Districts. This little plant has much the 

 habit of a Galium, but it is readily distinguished from that genus 

 by the fruit being crowned by the calyx. 



Asperula, (Linn.) Woodruff. 

 Linn. CI. iv. Ord. i. 



Name. A diminutive of asper (Lat.) rough ; whence the English 

 name Wood-roof or ruff. 



