By Thomas Bruges Flower, Esq. 



345 



Frequent in almost all soils and situations, and readily distin- 

 guished throughout the summer by its long spreading branches, 

 densely set with closely pressed siliques, and terminating in a little 

 cluster of small lemon coloured flowers. The Hedge Mustard was 

 once valued as a stimulant, hence the specific name 'officinalis.' 



2. S. Irio, (Linn.) London Rocket. Broad-leaved Hedge Mus- 

 tard. Engl. Bot. t. 1631. Reich. Icones, ii. 75. 



Locality. In waste ground, on walls, and amongst rubbish, very 

 rare. A. Fl. June, August. Area, 1. * * * * 



South Division. 



1. South-east District, " Sides of rivulets near Upper Charlton 

 Farm," The late Dr. Maton, " Hatcher's Hist, of Salisbury." "Banks 

 and walls, scarce," Major Smith. 



I have considerable hesitation in quoting the first of the above 

 localities, ("by the sides of rivulets,") for the occurrence of this 

 very local species, fearing some other plant may have been mis- 

 taken for it. The other likewise requires to be confirmed on more 

 trustworthy authority. Mr. James Hussey, who is well acquainted 

 with the "Flora of Salisbury," informs me he has carefully searched 

 the neighbourhood for many seasons past without being successful 

 in finding it. This plant has likewise been reported for the adjoining 

 county (Somerset), but I know not on what authority. That cele- 

 brated naturalist, the Rev. John Ray, remarks, that after the great 

 fire in London, in the years 1667 and 1668, it came up abundantly 

 among the rubbish in the ruins. Dr. Morison, Professor of Botany 

 at Oxford, who was living at that time, was particularly struck with, 

 so singular an appearance, and in his " Prasludia Botanica " has a 

 long dialogue on this very subject, in which he seems to argue, 

 though certainly very unphilosophically, for its production by spon- 

 taneous generation from the fixed and volatile salts, sulphur, &c. 



3. S. Sophia, (Linn.) Fine-leaved Hedge Mustard. Flix Weed. 

 " Sophia Chirurgorum, the Wisdom of Surgeons," (an old name of 

 the plant,) " would not be evinced by any reliance on this herb for 

 the cure of fractured limbs, nor are its antidysenteric virtues, to 

 which its old English name (Flix or Flux Weed) alludes, better 

 ascertained." Engl. Bot. t. 963, Reich. Icones, ii. 74. 



