jflowei* of Bristowe. 
(By Ida M. Roper, F. L.S., read October yxH, 1909). 
I N the formation of a University many details have to be thoug’ht 
out and arranged, and not the least amongst them is the 
colour of the Academical hood to be worn by its graduates. 
Universities sprang up throughout Europe in the 15th and i6th 
centuries, and various articles of dress were looked upon as 
appropriate to add to the dignity of the graduates and to mark 
their various degrees. These distinctive insignia were of different 
material, such as woollen, fur, or silk, and from a modification 
of one of the cloaks or gowns of those times has come down to 
us the modern hood with its varied colours. As all the hoods 
are now similar in shape, each University seeks to confer a special 
honour by its hood of a distinctive colour different from all others. 
But the multiplication of modern Universities and the limited 
number of colours make it necessary to select a special shade or 
tint, and the choice often proves a matter of difficulty, except 
when history or sentiment can guide the decision. 
It came to my knowledge that Mr. E. Sibree drew the attention 
of the Sub-Committee of the University to the fact that the name 
of Bristol is associated with a plant called the “ Flower of 
Bristowe,” and he suggested that its colour might well be fixed 
upon to give an historic meaning to the academical hood. 
As the identity of this “ Flower of Bristowe” is unknown to 
many, I have brought together all the information about it that 
I have been able to glean from various sources, and only regret 
that it is so meagre. 
The plant that has received the honour of being called the 
“Flower of Bristowe” is the Scarlet Lychnis, an old-fashioned 
flower familiar to most of us in herbaceous gardens ; and it is 
the brilliant colour of its blossom, which is the shade of scarlet, 
that the University could adopt if it decides to use this flower as 
a guide. 
It is a perennial belonging to the order Caryophyllaceae — the 
pink family — and, growing about two feet high, produces in July 
and August flat corymbs made up of small five-petalled florets. 
It is known to the botanist as Lychnis Chalcedonica, and to the 
old herbalist as “ Nonesuch ” or “ Flower of Bristowe,” whilst 
the cottager gives it the name of “ Scarlet Lightning.” 
