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that in August, when full blown, the corolla is full of their dead
bodies. Although harmless to some persons, yet it is noxious to
others, poisoning and creating swellings and inflammations on
certain people who have only trod on it. Gerarde describes it as
a deadly and dangerous plant, especially to four-footed beasts;
“ for, as Dioscorides writes, the leaves hereof, mixed with bread,
and given, kill dogs, wolves, foxes, and leopards.” Dog’s Chamomile
[Matricaria Chamontila) is a spurious or wild kind of
Chamomile. Dog Grass [Triticum caninum) is so called because
Dogs take it medicinally as an aperient. Dog’s Mercury (or Dog’s
Cole) is a poisonous kind, so named to distinguish it from English
Mercury. Dog’s Nettle is Galeopsis Tetrahit. Dog’s Orach [Chenopo-
dium Vulvaria), is a stinking kind. Dog’s Parsley [jEthusa Cynapium),
a deleterious weed, also called Fool’s Parsley and Lesser Hemlock.
Dog Rose [Rosa canina) is the common wilding or Canker Rose ; the
ancients supposed the root to cure the bite of a mad Dog, it having
been recommended by an oracle for that purpose; hence the Romans
called it Ganina; and Pliny relates that a soldier who had been
bitten by a mad Dog, was healed with the root of this shrub,
which had been indicated to his mother in a dream. Dog’s Tail
Grass [Gynosurus cristatus) derives its name from its spike being
fringed on one side only. Dog Violet [Viola canina) is so-called contemptuously
because scentless. Dog’s Tongue, or Hound’s Tongue
[Cynogiossum officinale) derived its name from the softness of its leaf,
and was reputed to have the magical property of preventing the
barking of Dogs if laid under a person’s feet. Dog Wood [Gornus
sanguinea) is the wild Cornel; and Dog Berries the fruit of that
herb, which was also formerly called Hound’s Tree. Dr. Prior
thinks that this name has been misundertood, and that it is
derived from the old English word dagge, or dagger, which was
applied to the wood because it was used for skewers by butchers.
The ancient Greeks knew a plant (supposed to be a species of
Antirrhinum) which they called Cynocephalia (Dog’s Head), as well
as Osiris; and to this plant Pliny ascribes extraordinary properties.
As a rule, the word “ Dog,” when applied to any plant, implies
contempt.
After the Fox has been named, from its shape, the Alopecurus
pratensis, Fox-Tail-grass; and the Digitalis has been given the name
of Fox-Glove.
The Goat has its NIeed[AEgopodium Podagraria), and has given
its name to the Tragopogón pratensis, which, on account oi its long,
coarse pappus, is called Goat’s Beard. Caprifolium, or Goat’s Leaf,
is a specific name of the Ploneysnckle, given to it by the old
herbalists, because the leaf, or more properly the stem, climbs and
wanders over high places where Goats are not afraid to tread.
A species of Sow Thistle, the Sonchus olcraccus, is called the
Hare’s Palace, from a supei'stitious notion that the Hare derives
shelter and courage from it. Gerarde calls it the Hare’s Lettuce,
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a name given to it by Apuleius, because, when the Hare is fainting
with heat or fatigue, she recruits her failing strength with it. Dr.
Prior gives the following extradts from old authors respedling this
curious tradition. Anthony Askani says, “ yf a Hare eate of this
herbe in somer, when he is mad, he shal be hole.” Topsell also
tells us in his ‘ Natural History,’ p. 209, that “ when Hares are
overcome with heat, they eat of an herb called Lactuca leporina, that
is, the Hare’s-lettuce, Hare’s-house, Hare’s-palace ; and there is
no disease in this beast, the cure whereof she does not seek for m
this herb.” This plant is sometimes called Hare’s Thistle. Bupleu-
rum rotundifolium is termed Hare’s Ear, from the sh ap e / f its leaves,
as is also Erysimum oriéntale. Trifoliuni arvense is Hare s Foot, from
the soft grey down which surrounds the blossoms resembling the
delicate fur of the Hare’s foot. Both Lagurus oratus, and the
flowering Rush, Lriophorum vaginatum, are called Hare’s Tail, from
the soft downy inflorescence. _ tt .
Melilotus offcinalis is Plart’s Clover; Scolopendrwm vulgare, Hart s
Tongue; Plantago Coronopus, Hart’s Horn; Sciipus caspitosus, Deers
or Hart’s Hair; Rhamnus catharticus, Plart’s or Buck Thorn [Spina
cervina); and Tordylium maximum. Hart Wort, so called because,
as Dioscorides tells us, the juice of the leaves was given to Roes
in order that they might speedily be delivered of them ju n g .
According to Pliny, the Roman matrons used to employ it for the
same purpose, having been “ taught by Hindes that eate J f o
speade their delivery, as Aristotle did declare it before.” The
Raspberry is still sometimes called by its ancient name of Hind-
berry; and the Teucrium Scorodonia is known as Hind-heal, from an
old tradition that it cures Deer when bitten by venomous serpents.
The Dittany is said to have the same extraordinary effect- on
wounded Plarts as upon Goats (see D i t t a n y , Part 11.).
Numerous indeed are the plants named after the Horse, either
on account of the use they are put to, the shape of their foliage,
&c , their large size, or the coarseness of their texture. Inula
He'ienium is Horse-heal, a name attached to the plant by a double
blunder of Inula for hinnula, a Colt, and Hclenmm, for heal or heel;
employed to heal Horses of sore heels, &c. Vicia Faba ^ the
Plorse Bean; Teucrium Chamadrys, the Germander, is called Horse
Chire, from its springing up after Horse-droppings. Melampymm
sylvaticum is the Horse Flower, so called from a verbal GrrOT. Ihe
Alexandrian Laurel was formerly called Horse Tongue. TussUago
Farfara, from the shape of its leaf, is termed Horse Hoof. Cengurea
nigra is Horse Knob. Another name for Colt s Foot is Horse
Foot; and we have Horse Thistle, Mint, Mushroom, Parsley,
Thyme, and Radish. The Dutch Rush, Equisetum, is called Horse
Tail, a name descriptive of its shape; Hippocrepis comosa is known
as the Plorse-shoe Vetch, from the shape of the legumes; and,
lastly, the (Enanthe Phellandrium is the Horse Bane,, because, in
Sweden, it is supposed to give Horses the palsy. In Mexico, the