WILD PLANTS AND THEIR NAMES.
In looking over some memoranda, I find the following Queries entered; and, as it is more than probable that some of the readers of "N. & Q." who take an interest in our wild flowers, and love the simple, homely names which were given them by our fathers, will easily solve them, I send them for insertion:
1. Capsella, Bursa pastoris, "Shepherd's Purse." Why was this plant called "St. James's Wort;" French, "Fleur de St. Jacques?" Was it used in medicine? Its old name, "Poor Man's Parmacetic," would imply that it was.
2. Veronica Chamædrys, "Eye-bright," "Paul's Betony," and "Fluellin." What was the origin of these two names?
3. Primula veris, "Cowslip," "Palsy Wort;" French, "Herbe de la Paralysie." Is this plant used in any of our village pharmacopœias as a remedy for palsy; and if so, how? I may also add another Query on this plant, and which I trust some fair reader will answer; and that is, How is the ointment prepared from the leaves (?), which is used to remove tan and freckles from the sunburnt?
4. Viburnum opulus, "Guelder Rose." Was this plant originally a native of the Low Countries? I am inclined to think that its distribution was of a very wide range.
5. Neottia spiralis, "Ladies' Tresses," "Sweet Cods," "Sweet Cullins," and "Stander Grass." What is the origin of these names?
6. Ribes nigrum, "Black Currant," "Gazel" (Kent). Meaning?
7. Stellaria holostea, "Stitchwort," "All-bones." Meaning? The plant is very fragile.
8. Orobus tuberosus, "Bitter Vetch," "Cormeille" (Highlands of Scotland), and "Knapperts" (Scotland generally). Have these terms any signification?
9. Sinapis arvensis, "Wild Mustard," "Charlock," "Garlock," "Chadlock," and "Runsh." Derivation and meaning?
10. Saxifraga umbrosa, "London Pride," "Saxifrage," "St. Patrick's Cabbage." Is there a legend in connexion with this name; and in what county is this saxifrage so called?
11. Geum urbanum, "Yellow Avens," "Herb Bennet," "Star of the North," "Blessed Herb." These names would appear to point to some virtues supposed to be attached to this herb. What are they?
12. Linum catharticum, "Purge Flax," "Mill Mountain"?
13. Sedum acre, "Biting Stone-crop," "Jack of the Buttery," "Pricket," "Bird's Bread"?
14. Gnaphalium germanicum, "Common Cudweed," "Wicked Herb" (Herba impia), "Live-long," and "Chaff-weed."
15. Euphorbia helioscopia, "Sun Spurge," "Churn-staff"? juice milky, but acrid.
16. Euphorbia cyparissius, "Cypress Spurge," "Welcome to our House"?
17. Chrysanthemum segetum, "Wild Marigold," "Goules," "Goulans" (Query remains of its old name gold?), "St. John's Bloom," "Ruddes"?
18. Spergula arvensis, "Spurrey Yarr" (Scotch)?
19. Chenapodium Bonus Henricus, "Mercury Goose-foot," "Good King Henry"?
To all the latter the same Query will apply, What is the origin of the name? It is probable but few of the above names will be now found; or, if found, it will be only in those districts where the march of intellect (?) has not banished all traces of household surgery, home legends, and, I may almost add, home feelings.
Much that is interesting to the antiquary and the naturalist is now fast fading out of the land. The very existence of the cheap literature of the day will rapidly root out all traces of traditionary lore; and strong, steady efforts should be made to rescue as much as possible of it from oblivion. It is with this view I send these Queries; and in case they are deemed worthy of insertion, I purpose to follow them up by a second list of Queries, as to the medical virtues of our wild plants. In the mean time I may add, that any Notes on them, whether as charms or cures, would be most desirable.
Enivri.
Tredagh.