Localities. — In salt-marshes; very rare. — Essex ; At WaltoD. near Har- 
wich : Ray. — Kent ; About a quarter of a mile below Faversham, by the river 
side: Mr. J. Shehaud. On the wall leading to Thorn Creek, near Faversham, 
plentifully: E. Jacob, Esq. About three miles east of Whitstable : 1824; Mr. 
W. Pamplin, jun. East Kent: Rev. G. E. Smith, in N. B. G. — Notts ; Wood 
at Colwick: Martyn. — Sussex ; In the ditches near Shoreham, according to 
Ray, but it has been sought for there in vain; it is probable (Enanthe pimpi- 
nelloides was mistaken for it. 
Perennial. — Flowers from June to September. 
Root spindle-shaped, with strong, branching fibres, resinous, 
smelling like sulphur. Stem upright, from 2 to 4 feet high, cylin- 
drical, branched, striated, bright green, jointed, smooth, leafy. 
Leaves copious, alternate, on channelled leaf-stalks, sheathing at 
the base, large, 4 or 5 times 3-parted, their ultimate segments about 
an inch and a half long, very narrow, strap-shaped, and almost 
hair-like, flat, pointed, 3-ribbed. Universal umbel large, of many 
unequal, smooth, lax rays, and an involucrum of about 3 narrow 
bristle-shaped, deciduous leaves (bracteas). Partial umbels also 
of many unequal rays, with an involucrum of many permanent 
bristle-like leaves. Flowers numerous, of an uniform buff-yellow. 
Calyx-teeth sharp pointed, bent inwards. Petals equal, incurved. 
Styles reflexed. Fruit about 3 lines long, oblong, with a shallow 
notch at each end, pale light brown, the vitta deep chocolate 
colour, the primary ribs much depressed and paler, the lateral re- 
sembling deep furrows between them and the dilated margin. 
Commissure (inner face of the carpels) light fawn colour, with two 
crimson viltce very conspicuous upon it. (See Lindl. FI. Med.) 
This species is a native of the most southern parts of Europe in 
moist meadows. The whole plant, especially the root, has a strong 
sulphurous smell. The latter wounded in the Spring yields a con- 
siderable quantity of yellow juice, which dries into a gummy resin, 
and retains the strong scent of the root. Many stimulating qualities 
have been attributed to it, but it is considered dangerous for in- 
ternal use. 
“ Nor is the mead unworthy of thy foot. 
Full of fresh verdure, and unnumber’d flowers. 
The negligence of Nature, wide, and wild; 
Where, undisguished by mimic art, she spreads 
Unbounded beauty to the roving eye.” 
Thomson. 
