84 



The Flora of Wiltshire. 



their hay. In England we have better indications, such as the 

 flowering-heads of wild red clover beginning to fade, and the pre- 

 dominant grasses of the crop opening their glumes, and displaying 

 their anthers. 



Euphrasia, (Linn.) Eyebright. 

 Linn. CI. xiv., Ord. ii. 

 Named from euphraino to delight; in allusion to the gaiety of 

 its flowers. Eyebright, from the old notion of its being useful in 

 disorders of the eyes. 



1. E. officinalis, (Linn.) officinal or common Eyebright. Engl. 

 Bot. t. 1416. 



Locality. Heathy and chalky pastures, also on the downs. A. 

 Fl. July, August. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 



Distributed generally throughout the County. An elegant little 

 plant, varying in height from 1 inch to 4 or 5, with a square, 

 downy, leafy stem, either simple or branched. Flowers axillary, 

 solitary, very abundant, inodorous, but remarkable for their bril- 

 liant variegated aspect. The corolla varies much in size as well as 

 colour, being commonly white with dark purple streaks, and a 

 yellowish palate ; the anthers violet. The plant is still much used 

 in rustic practice as a remedy for diseases of the eye. Milton 

 represents the Archangel Michael as employing it to remove the 

 film from the eyes of our first parent, occasioned by eating the 

 forbidden fruit : — 



— " But to nobler sights 



Michael from Adam's eyes the film removed, 

 Which that false fruit that promised clearer sight 

 Had bred ; then purged with Euphrasy and rue 

 The visual nerve, for he had much to see." 



2. E. Odontites, (Linn.) red Eyebright. Odontites is a word 

 used by Pliny for some herb. Bartsia Sm. Engl. Bot. t. 1415. 



Locality. In cultivated ground, corn-fields and waste places, 

 especially on a cold and wet clay soil. A. Fl. June, July. Area, 

 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 



Recorded in all the Districts. About a foot high, more or less; 

 copiously branched, each branch terminating in a leafy unilateral 



