688 POLYANDRIA. POLYGYNIA. Sagittaria. 
(Var. 2. Radicans. Stem creeping; leaves triangular, heart-shaped, 
sharply crenate. C. radicans. Torsi. Linn. Tr. vol. 8. t, 17. Sm. E. Bot. 
2175. De Cand. C. palusiris /3. Hook. Grev. Found by Mr. G. Don, and 
Mr. Dickson, in Scotland; also by Mr. Winch on Helvellin by the foot¬ 
path leading Stainwards, and on the shores of every lake in Cumberland: 
by Mr. J. Backhouse, on Egleston Fell, and in Raby Park, Durham. On 
examining numerous specimens we find some resembling Mr. Forster’s, 
mixed with almost every gradation between them and the more common 
appearance of C. palustris. We observe leaves with entire or crenate 
edges even on the same plant, and also exhibiting the gradation from 
the heart or kidney, to the triangular shape. The stalk may be found 
creeping or upright, as the situation is moist or dry. So greatly do these 
plants vary in size, that the luxuriant picture by Curtis may be deemed 
equally correct, with the stunted and diminutive representations of Knip- 
hofius or the Flora Danica. E.) 
SAGITTA'RIA.* Stamens and pistils in different flowers on 
the same plant: Cal. three leaves : Bloss. three petals. 
B. Filam. about twenty-four. 
F. ( Seeds numerous^ bordered. E.) 
S. sagittifo'lia. Leaves arrow-shaped, acute. 
E. Bot. 84— Gies. 64—F7. Dan. 172— Wale. 5—Dod. 588. 2— Lob. Obs. 161. 
2, and Ic. i. 302. 1— Ger. Em. 416. 2— Park. 1247. 2 —J. B. iii. 789— 
Pet. 43. 11. 
{Root tuberous, with fibres. Herb milky, smooth. Leaves varying accord¬ 
ing to situation; when deeply immersed in Avater or exposed to a rapid 
current, diminish almost to nothing; hence several evanescent varieties, 
Sm. E ) Stalks with six edges. Leaves all from the root; the first 
which are always under water, long, strap-shaped, by some authors 
considered as a A^ariety, and well figured in FI. Dan. 172, and ill done in 
Pet. 43. 9 ; the succeeding , which rise above the water, arrow-shaped, 
very entire, smooth, with parallel ribs and reticulated veins. Leaf- 
yellow, (but the colour so produced is reported not to be permanent. E.) The remarkable 
yellowness of butter in the spring has been supposed to be caused by this plant, (and with equal 
improbability by the Crow r foot, E.); but cows will not eat it, unless compelled by extreme 
hunger, and then, Boerhaave says, it occasions such an inflammation that they generally die. 
Upon May-day, country people strew the flowers before their doors, (and wreath them 
into garlands.—The Scots name Gowlan or Go wan, though indiscriminately applied to 
several spring flowers, is generally understood more particularly to designate the daisy, 
dandelion, crowfoot, and meadow-bout; thus “gowany glens,” has been interpreted 
“ daisied dales; ” and with like reference Burns : 
<{ We twa hae run about the braes. 
And pu’t the Goivans fine.” 
Goats and sheep eat this plant; horses, cows, and swine refuse it. Encyc. Brit. That 
the atmosphere, especially of a confined apartment, may be contaminated by the gaseous 
exhalations of plants and flowers, during the night often fatally mephitic, is unquestionable ; 
and it would appear that even medicinal properties may be thus evolved ; for on a large 
quantity of the flowers of Meadow-bouts being put into the bed-room of a girl who had 
been subject to fits, the fits ceased. An infusion of the flowers were afterwards successfully 
used in various fits both of children and adults.—Few plants will be found more ornamental 
on the margin of the pleasure ground lake, wherein the rich golden blossoms are often 
reflected with admirable effect. The double-blossomed variety is admitted into gardens, E.) 
* (From sagitta } an arrow, the leaves resembling the head of that missiler E.) 
