182 



The Flora of Wiltshire. 



Floivcrs appearing before the leaves, erect in blossom and seed, 

 drooping before and after flowering ; bright yellow, solitary, ter- 

 minal. The smoking of this herb as a remedy for obstinate 

 coughs, was recommended by Pliny. 



Erigeron (Linn.) Flea-bane. 

 Linn. CI. xix. Ord. ii. 

 Name. A word used by Pliny, of Greek origin ; from er, the 

 spring, and geron, an old man; so called in allusion to the plant 

 being matured early in the year. The Greek Erigeron was probably 

 Senecio vulgaris, which has ripe seeds, very early accompanied with 

 hoary down. 



1. E. acris, (Linn.) acrid or blue Flea-bane. Engl. Bot. t. 1158. 

 Reich. Icones, xvi. 917. 



Locality. In dry, chalky, or gravelly pastures, banks and walls. 

 B. Fl. July, August. Area, 1. * 3. 4. 5. 



South Division. 



1. South-east District, " In some parts of Clarendon "Wood ; also 

 on the downs between the turnpike road and Winterslow," Dr. 

 Maton. "Nat. Hist. Wilts." "Near Salisbury," Mr. James 

 Hussey. 



3. South-west District, On the downs in the neighbourhood of 

 "Warminster. 



North Division. 



4. North-west District, " About quarried ground, Corsham," Dr. 

 Alexander Prior. " Wats. Bot. Guide." Chippenham, and walls 

 at Wans House. In dry hilly places about Kingsdown and Conk- 

 well quarries. 



5. North-east District, "Near Great Bedwyn," Mr. William 

 Bartlett. Not generally distributed throughout Wilts. Flowers 

 upright, never expanding like most other of the order of Com- 

 positae. Florets of the disk yellow ; those of the ray strap-shaped, 

 very narrow, of a purplish colour, nearly upright. 



Bellis, (Linn.) Daisy. 

 Linn. CI. xix. Ord. ii. 

 Name. A word used by Pliny ; from bellus, pretty. 



