HABITS AND LATIN NAMES OF BRITISH PLANTS. 
21 
root, and is frequently sold as the genuine article. In Portland Island, where 
the Arum flourishes abundantly even upon the stubble lands, Mr. Griffith 
observed a number of women engaged in digging up the roots for this purpose for 
the supply of the London dealers, which they stated to be their regular employ¬ 
ment. Repeated washing, or soaking in fresh water many hours, is said to 
dissipate the pernicious quality* At Weymouth many cwts. are sold annually 
for starch, or as nourishment for young children and invalids, and also used in 
pastry, puddings, &c. From the Flat Holmes might he collected a sufficient 
quantity to be worthy the attention of Bristol market. In some parts of Worces¬ 
tershire it is designated “ Bloody-men’s-fingers,” and some commentators have 
imagined it to be the Long-purples of Shakspeare, rather than Orchis mascula , 
though with less probability. The flower of this plant has been cited as affording 
a remarkable instance of the spontaneous heat generated in vegetables ; which, 
according to the observations of Lamarck and Senebier, is evolved in a very 
obvious degree, for several hours subsequent to the first opening of the spatha. 
Arundo. — Arundo , inis , f., the Latin for a Heed; “ ab arendo , quod cito 
arescat.” De Theis says it comes from am, the Celtic word for water. 
Arundo phragmites , Common Heed, Loch Reed (Scotch).—It is useful for 
thatching, and making slight fences. Where herbage may be wanted, either for 
beauty, or shelter for water-fowl, nothing can be more suitable; it does not often 
seed, but it could be easily introduced where required, by planting its roots in 
spring. The panicles are used by the country people in Sweden to dye woollen 
cloth green. Reeds are much more durable than straw for thatching, and are so 
valuable for that purpose in the fen counties, that when broken down by the 
innumerable flights of Starlings which congregate upon them, the injury is attended 
with serious loss. Screens to keep off the cold winds in gardens are made of 
them; and they are laid across the frame of wood-work, as the foundation for 
plaster floors; also in demand for brick-makers; and to make pens for sketching 
or etching where freedom is required. Till the introduction, in the seventh 
century, of the more proper pens (penna), made of the quills of birds, they were 
likewise in general use for writing, though inferior to those produced in warmer 
climates. They also occasionally serve for the shafts of arrows. Swamps, 
and lands occasionally overflowed, may be rendered productive by being planted 
with Reeds, for which purpose pieces of the root should be placed in the ground. 
