By Thomas Bruges Floiver, Esq. 



197 



sides. P. Fl. July, September. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Frequent and 

 \ generally distributed throughout Wilts. C. nigra, (Linn.) occasionally 

 occurs with the outer row of florets barren and radiant, but is not 

 common. — /3. C. decipiens (Thuill). This form which is not un- 

 frequent in Wilts and the West of England, occurs with flowers 

 usually (perhaps always) radiant, and is a more elegant plant with, 

 the pericline generally smaller and less globular, and the branches 

 more wiry than in the last variety ; its involucral appendages 

 being more irregular. This may possibly be the C. nigrescens, 

 (Bab.) and of Continental botanists, and probably may be distinct 

 from the radiant form of C. nigra, (Linn.) although it is difficult 

 to decide to which of the two forms some specimens ought to be 

 referred. 



2. C. Cyanus, (Linn.) Corn Knapweed, or Blue-bottle. Cyanus 

 means Sky-blue, and is applied to describe the exquisite tint of the 

 flowers; hence the English name Blue-bottle. Engl. Bot. t. 277. 



Locality. Corn-fields on chalk and gravel. A. Fl. June, August. 

 Area, 1.2.3.4.5. 



South Division. 



1. South-east District, " Corn-fields in the neighbourhood of 

 Salisbury," Major Smith and Mr. James Hussey. "Amesbury," 

 Dr. Southby. " Pewsey," Bev. T. F. Ravenshaw. 



2. South Middle District, Corn-fields on Salisbury Plain, and 

 Westbury Downs. 



3. South-west District, Corn-fields at Warminster and Corsley. 



North Division. 



4. North-west District, Corn-fields near Chippenham and 

 Bromham. 



5. North-east District, "Beyond Martinsell," Flor. Marlb. 

 " Great Bedwyn," Mr. William Bartlett. 



Stem 2 or 3 feet high, much branched, covered with a loose 

 cottony down. Florets of the disk small, purple ; of the ray, few, 

 larger, bright blue, spreading. The most elegant of the native 

 species of Centaurea, and not uncommon in Wiltshire corn-fields. 

 It is a pernicious weed to the farmer, and requires his greatest care 

 to eradicate. 



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