[E254] "Sweete Johns." Apparently a variety of Sweet William. See Parkinson's "Paradisus," pp. 319, 321, for descriptions and figures: "The chiefe differences betweene them are, that [Sweet Williams] have broader, and darker greene leaues, somewhat brownish, especially towards the points, and that the flowers stand thicker and closer, and more in number together, in the head or tuft."—Note by Mr. J. Britten,, F.L.S.
[E255] "Star of Jerusalem." This is usually Tragopogon pratensis, L., as in Gerard, p. 736, but some other plant is likely to be meant here.—Note by Mr. J. Britten, F.L.S.
[E256] "Tuft gilleflowers." Probably some low-growing Dianthus, such as that figured as "Matted Pinkes" by Parkinson (Paradisus, p. 315).—Note by Mr. J. Britten, F.L.S.
[E257] "Veluet flowers," according to Dr. Prior, the "love-lies-bleeding," Amaranthus caudatus, Linn., from its crimson velvety tassels; according to Lyte, the same as the Flower Gentle, or Floramor, Fr. passevelours, A. tricolor, Linn.
[E258] "Eyebright." "Divers Authours write that goldfinches, linnets, and some other Birds make use of this Herb for the repairing of their own and their young ones sight."—Coles, "Adam in Eden," 1657, p. 46. It is the "Euphrasy" of Milton, P. L. xi. 414. A similar story is told of the Hawk-weed. See Pliny (lib. xx. c. 7).
[E259] "Fumetorie," Fr. fume terre, Lat. fumus terræ, earth-smoke, it being believed to be produced without seed from vapours arising from the earth, as stated by Platearius: "Dicitur fumus terræ, quod generatur a quadam fumositate grossâ, a terrâ resolutâ, et circa superficiem terræ adherente." Pliny (lib. xxv. c. 13) says that it takes its name from causing the eyes to water when applied to them, as smoke does;
"Take youre laxatives
Of lauriol, centaure, and fumytere."
—Chaucer, Nonnes Prestes Tale, 143.
See Burton's Anat. of Melancholy, pp. 432-3 and 438, ed. 1845.
[E260] "Woodrofe," spelt according to an old distich thus:
"Double U, double O, double D, E,
R, O, double U, double F, E."