190 



The Flora of Wiltshire. 



at the extremity of each branch, on a naked, hollow peduncle, 

 swelling upwards. It is often a very troublesome weed, and some-; 

 times abounds to such a degree, as almost to annihilate the crop. 



Artemisia, (Linn.) Wormwood Mugyvort. 

 Linn. CI. xix. Ord. ii. 



Name. A word used by Pliny for some herb derived from 

 Artemis, the Greek name of Diana. 



1, A. Vulgaris, (Linn.) common Mugwort. The English name 

 Mugwort was probably given to this plant from the practice of 

 putting it into the mugs from which our forefathers drank, to 

 flavour their contents. Engl. Bot. t. 978. 



Locality. On dry hedge banks, in waste ground, and borders of; 

 fields, especially on gravel. P. Fl. July, September. Area, 1. 2. 

 3. 4. 5. Generally distributed throughout Wilts. Stems, 3 to 4 feetj 

 in height, smooth angular, with purple ribs, and strise. Florets, 

 reddish purple. 



[Artemisia Absinthium, (Linn.) Engl. Bot. t. 1230, has been! 

 reported to occur at Purton (Dist. 5.). Further localities for this 

 species in Wilts would be desirable.] 



Tanacetum (Linn.) Tansy. 

 Linn. CI. xix. Ord. ii. 



Name. An old word of very doubtful origin, said by some to be 

 a corruption of the Greek athanatos, immortal, "because the flowers 

 gathered in due time, dye not for a long time after," — Parkinson. 



1. P. vulgare (Linn.) common Tansy. Engl. Bot. t. 1229. 



Locality. Pastures, road-sides, borders of fields, and by the banks 

 of the Avon. P. Fl. July, August, Fr. September. Area, 1. 

 2. 3. 4. 5. In all the districts but sparingly. Stem, erect, 1 to 3 

 feet high. Flowers in a terminal corymb. Leaves sprinkled thickly 

 with resinous dots, in which the strong odour of the plant resides. 

 Whole plant bitter and aromatic, formerly much used in medicine, 

 and also in domestic economy. 



Filago, (Linn.) Filago. 

 Linn. CI. xix. Ord. ii. 

 Name. From fllum, (Lat.) a thread ; in reference to the stem 



