202 



The Flora of Wiltshire. 



form of a circle, and eradicating all other herbage. Flower central, 

 generally solitary, large. Florets reddish purple, or crimson. 



Silybum, (Gaert.) Milk Thistle. 

 Linn. CI. xix. Ord. i. 



Name. A Greek word of uncertain origin and application to 

 this plant. 



1. S. marianum, (Gaert.) Virgin Mary's Thistle. The leaves of 

 this plant are a deep glossy green, with milk-white veins, which 

 give them the appearance of beiug marbled, a character which in 

 the days of monkish superstition, was attributed to the milk of the 

 Yirgin Mary having fallen upon a plant of this species, whose 

 descendants have retained the blessed stain ; hence it is sometimes 

 called, My Lady's Thistle, Holy or Blessed Thistle. Carduus, Sm. 

 Engl Bot t. 976. 



Locality. Dry banks and waste ground, chiefly about houses ; 

 occasionally. B. Fl. June, July. Area, 1. * 3. * * 

 South Division. 



1. South-east District, "Milford Hill, not un-frequent," Dr. 

 Maton, " Nat. Hist. Wilts." On a bank near the second mile-stone 

 on the Downton road, between it, and the new cottages." Major 

 Smith. " Neighbourhood of Salisbury," Mr. James Hussey. 



3. South-west District, "Near Chapmanslade," Miss Griffith. \ 

 Perhaps scarcely wild in Wilts. Distinguishable at once by the, 

 white veins on its leaves, and the great and curved scales of the 

 involucre. It should be looked for in the northern part of the county. 



Sub-Order III. Cichoriaceje or Liguliflor^:. 

 Flowers all ligulate and perfect. 



Lapsana, (Linn.) Nipplewort. 

 Linn. CI. xix. Ord. i. 

 Named, from (lapazo) to purge, in allusion to its medicinal 

 qualities. 



1. L. communis (Linn.) common Nipplewort Dock-cress. Engl. 

 Bot. t. 844. 



Locality. Waste and cultivated ground, hedges, and newly cut 



