300 
HABITS AND L tTIN NAMES OF BRITISH PLANTS. 
bill, short hind claws, and the general shape and colour of this bird, are the 
points which separate it from the Larks. 
Coma on Gull, Larus canus ,—Mouette a-pieds-bleus, Fr .—Gabbiano mezza- 
mosca, It .—An adult and a young bird are represented, rather less than the 
natural size. Passes the Summer in the Arctic regions of Europe, Asia, and 
America, migrating Southwards in Winter, and occurring in most of the temperate 
portions of Europe. It is common on the British coasts, being resident with us. 
The nest is formed of Sea-weed and Grasses. The eggs, two or three in number, 
are yellowish-white, blotched irregularly with brown and grey. In Winter it 
sometimes puts far out to sea, and often, like the Rook, Wagtail, &c., follows 
the plough in search of Worms and Slugs. It is two or three years arriving at 
maturity, “ the change being from mottled greyish-brown to a delicate Lead-colour 
on the upper surface, and whitish beneath.” In Spring the brown streaks on the 
head and neck disappear, and those parts become of a perfectly pure white.” 
Our next! article will contain an analysis of the last part of Mr. Gould’s 
magnificent work. 
Campsall Hall , Jan. 29, 1839. 
ON THE HABITS AND PECULIARITIES OF BRITISH PLANTS, 
AND ON THE DERIVATIONS OF THEIR LATIN NAMES. 
By T. B. Hall. 
(Continued from p. 246.) 
Bidens. —From bis , twice, and dens , a tooth; alluding to the awns of the 
seeds. 
Bidens tripartita, Trifid Double-tooth, Water Hemp, or Bur Marygold.—The 
seeds have two or three prickly angles, and as many erect bristles, likewise 
prickly with reflexed hooks, by which the seeds stick like burs to any rough 
surface, and are sometimes said to injure fish, by getting into their gills. The 
herb gives a yellow colour to woollen or linen. 
Blechnum .—From BAwvov, a Greek name for a Fern. 
Blysmus. —BAucr/xo?, source or spring, near which the species usually grow. 
Borago .— Minshew and Blanchard say, it was formerly written Corago , 
from car, the heart, and ago to bring, because it was supposed to comfort 
the heart and spirits; thence 1 corrupted into Borago , or, as the French spell it, 
Borrago. 
