134 



The Flora of Wiltshire. 



to me, that the Comarum had been observed in Spye Park, (North- 

 west District). The station should be confirmed during the ensuing 

 summer by some trustworthy botanist. This beautiful species is 

 placed by some authors in the genus Potentilla from which it 

 differs by its enlarged spongy receptacle. 



Fragaria, (Linn.) Strawberry. 

 Linn. CI. xii. Ord. iii. 

 Name. The name used by Virgil is Fraga, "Qui legitis flores 

 et humi nascentia fraga," whence the Strawberry plant was named 

 by the old herbalists, Fragaria. Fraga is, perhaps, from fragrans 

 in allusion to the perfume of the fruit. 



1. F. vesca (Linn.) wood Strawberry. 1 Vesca (Lat.) signifies 

 eatable. Engl. Bot. t. 1524. Engl. Bot. Suppl. t. 2742. 



Locality. Woods, thickets, and shady places. P. Fl. May, June, 

 July. Area, 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Common in all the Districts? This 

 species is sometimes mistaken for F. elatior (Ehrh.) they may at 

 once be recognised by the following characters. In F. vesca (Linn.) 

 the petals are white both in the limb and claw, and their length and 

 breadth are about equal, the limb has two slight notches, and the 

 claw is very indistinct; the petals in F. elatior (Ehrh.) are in 

 length only equal to ttco thirds of the breadth, the limb is white 

 and perfectly entire, the claw is quite distinct and bright yellow. 



The fruit (which is the fleshy receptacle of the seeds become 

 enlarged and pulpy) is fragrant, gratefully acid, and aromatic, and 

 from its cooling quality is particularly acceptable in summer. Eaten 

 either alone or with sugar, there are few constitutions, with which 

 Strawberries even when taken in large quantities are found to 

 disagree. 



1 From the ancient practice of laying straw between the rows of plants, to 

 keep the ground moist and the fruit clean. 



2 Aubrey in his " Natural History of Wilts," p. 50, has the following note :— 

 " Strawberries (fragaria) in Colern woods, exceeding plentifull, the earth is 

 not above two inches, above the free-stone. The poor children gather them, 

 and sell them to Bathe, but they kill the young ashes by barking them to make 

 boxes to put them in." 



