267 
cincts, and commands a splendid view of the Bristol Channel, the Flat and Steep 
Holmes, and the opposite coast of Somerset. While waiting for the arrival of 
the mail to proceed to Swansea, I investigated the environs of the town, which 
proved, however, rather unproductive. 
* (Enanthe crocata ? I perceived in some quantity in flower, overspreading a 
marshy spot in a field by the side of the Cardiff road. I afterwards noticed this 
plant in several other parts of South Wales, where it appears to grow profusely. 
Since Sir W. J. Hooker introduced the (E. apiifolia of Professor Brotero into 
the British Flora, from the information of Mr. Banks, of Plymouth, this 44 Celery¬ 
leaved Water Drop-wort” has found its way into six counties, but I cannot help 
suspecting that here a distinction has been introduced “ without a difference.” 
Botanists had taken up a notion (how true I am unable to say) that (E. crocata al¬ 
ways abounded in a yellow juice. Hence Mr. Banks, finding a similar plant with 44 no 
peculiar juices,” is induced to consider it a new species, entirely on that account. 
Now, certainly, if the existence or non-existence of the supposed 44 yellow fetid 
juice” makes the plant before us either (E. crocata or (E. apiifolia , why then 
my plant is the latter. But the question arises whether this 44 poisonous yellow 
juice” is constant in (E. crocata , or whether it really appears at all ? I have 
met with the plants abundantly on the banks of the Teme, Worcestershire, and, 
though frequently gathering it, never verified the emission of the 44 orange-coloured, 
fetid, very poisonous juice,” which, according to Sir J. E. Smith, ought to exude 
from 44 all parts of the herb when wounded.” It is remarkable that Sir W. J. 
Hooker merely observes 44 full, it is said , of a poisonous yellow juice,” and intro¬ 
duces (E. apiifolia 44 with some hesitation.” I cannot conceive the two plants to be 
essentially different, especially in the absence of any recent witnesses of the emis¬ 
sion of yellow fetid juice from the CE. crocata , which very probably, if it appear at 
all, is only at peculiar seasons, or in very variable quantities. Dr. Woodville, in his 
account of (E. crocata in the Medical Botany f says not a word about yellow juice, 
though anxious to warn his readers on account of its poisonous qualities, being by 
Dr. Poultney 44 esteemed to be the most deleterious of all the vegetables which 
this country produces.” Brotero’s name implies the similarity of his plant to 
Celery , and Woodville states that three French prisoners residing at Pembroke 
mistook the (E. crocata for wild celery , and, presenting it to their comrades, had 
nearly caused the death of the whole of them, and two actually died from partak¬ 
ing of it. The death of five boys in Ireland from the same circumstance is also 
recorded. I should fear mischief from the use of the term apiifolia , unless it 
can he satisfactorily shewn that the plant intended is innoxious, and differs in other 
* Supplement, quarto edition, p. 143. In the second edition of Withering, under the 
co-editorship of the late Dr. Stokes, a most acute botanist, the yellow juice of (E. crocata i§ 
unnoticed. 
2 m 2 
