64 



Oa the Flax- Dodder. 



in both those countries. In a recent letter, Mr. T. B. Flower 

 informs me that it is very prevalent in Somersetshire ; and my 

 friend Sir W. Jardine, Bart., states that it is also frequent in 

 Dumfriesshire. 



I need scarcely inform the Agricultural Society that the dodder 

 is a parasitical weed, growing from seed deposited in the ground 

 but taking hold as soon as it can of the stem of the plant (in this 

 instance flax), upon which it is parasitical, when, its root imme- 

 diately decaying, it draws all its nourishment by means of short 

 suckers which penetrate the bark of its unfortunate victim, and, 

 by abstracting its juices, gradually weaken and ultimately de- 

 stroy it. 



In Somersetshire this weed is known by the name of the " mul- 

 berry," derived probably from the form and appearance of its 

 bunches of pale-pinkish flowers; in the w^est of Ireland it is 

 denominated the " parasite-plant." Mr. Thompson, a highly 

 respectable merchant of Westport, in the county of Mayo, states 

 that a small consignment of Odessa flax-seed was received at that 

 port in 1836, that it was the first ever imported there, and that 

 "sore complaints, on account of the weed," dodder, "growing up 

 with it, and quite destroying the flax," were made by the pur- 

 chasers. He adds that, " on particular inquiry, he is satisfied 

 that this weed is never found in American nor yet in Riga seed ; 

 and equally satisfied that it is in seed from Odessa and parts of 

 the north of Europe." The seed used in Somersetshire is im- 

 ported at Bristol, and comes, as does that at Liverpool, from some 

 of the Russian ports — but I have been unable to ascertain v/hich, 

 although Odessa is certainly one of them — and is full of the dodder. 

 The seed used in Ireland, being imported from America, is free 

 from the dodder, although a little of the weed still remains, 

 owing to the above-mentioned cargo of Odessa seed. 



It is therefore manifest that the almost certain way of avoiding 

 this troublesome weed is by obtaining American or Riga seed ; 

 and not purchasing the cheaper but dirty seed from Odessa. 



Charles C. Babington. 



5^. John's College, Cambridge^ 

 Nov. mh, 1840. 



