DRABA HIRTA. 
HAIRY WHITLOW-GRASS. 
Class. Order. 
TETR ADYNAMIA. SILICDLOSA. 
Natural Order. 
CROCIFERA5. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Duration. 
Cultivated 
Austria. 
3 inches. 
May, June. 
Perennial. 
in 1731. 
No. 132. 
Draba is a Greek word, used by Dioscorides, ex- 
pressive of an acrid quality ; which quality is posses- 
sed, in a considerable degree, by the greater part of 
this genus. Hirta, from the Latin, implying rough 
or hairy. The English name of this plant, Whitlow- 
Grass, like that of our preceding subject, had its or- 
igin amongst the simplers of former ages. 
There is a considerable variety in this species of 
Draba, arising, without doubt, in some degree, from 
the soil and situation of the various parts in which it 
is found indigenous ; for not only is it a native of 
Austria, but also of the mountains of Scotland, and 
of various northern districts of Europe, even as far 
as the frigid regions of Switzerland and Lapland. 
The difference of latitude, however, under which 
various plants are found, is not so much a circum- 
stance to be regarded, as the altitude at which they 
occur. This, as is observed by the Rev. Mr. Keith, 
must be obvious from the consideration, that the 
temperature of any place is effected as much from 
its altitude as from its latitude. The summit of the 
mountains of the Andes, even where situate almost 
under the equator, are yet covered with eternal snow. 
