",. if. 
 
 ^■; 
 
 
 :;' ■-! 
 
 
 
 
 -t>. 
 
 
 V] 
 
 <^ 
 
 /a 
 
 ^> 
 
 '<3 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 IMAGE EVALUATION 
 TEST TARGET (MT-3) 
 
 1.0 !f ■- IM 
 
 ui US 
 
 I.I 
 
 us 
 
 I 
 
 40 
 
 2.0 
 
 llllim 
 
 Photographic 
 
 Sciences 
 Corporation 
 
 A 
 
 
 ,<i>l% 
 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 1.25 ,.4 |,.6 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 6" 
 
 ► 
 
 33 WEST MAIN STREET 
 
 WEBSTIR.N.Y. M580 
 
 (716) S73-4S03 
 

 r/. 
 
 \ 
 
 ^*^. 
 
 L. V '^K^ 
 
 %% 
 
 CIHM/ICMH 
 
 Microfiche 
 
 Series. 
 
 CIHM/ICMH 
 Collection de 
 microfiches. 
 
 Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques 
 
Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliographiques 
 
 The Institute has attemrt^d to obtain the best 
 original copy available f jr filming. Features of this 
 copy which may be bibifographically unique, 
 which may alter any of the images in the 
 reproduction, or which may significantly change 
 the usual method of filming, are checked below. 
 
 D 
 
 n 
 
 D 
 D 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 Coloured covers/ 
 Couverture de couleur 
 
 Covers damaged/ 
 Couverture endommag6e 
 
 Covers restored and/or laminated/ 
 Couverture restaur<ke et/ou pellicul6e 
 
 Cover title missing/ 
 
 Le titre de couverture manque 
 
 Coloured maps/ 
 
 Cartes g^ographiques en couleur 
 
 Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ 
 Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) 
 
 Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ 
 Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur 
 
 Bound with other material/ 
 Reli6 avec d'autres documents 
 
 Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion 
 along interior margin/ 
 
 La reliure serr6e peut causer de I'ombre ou de la 
 distortion le long de la marge int6rieure 
 
 Blank leaves added during restoration may 
 appear within the text. Whenever possible, these 
 have been omitted from filming/ 
 II se peut que certaines pages blanches ajout4es 
 lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, 
 mais, lorsque cela Atait possible, ces pages n'ont 
 pas AtA filmAes. 
 
 Additional comments:/ 
 Commentaires supplAmentaires: 
 
 L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire 
 qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les ddtaiis 
 de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du 
 point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier 
 une ima{|e reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une 
 modification dans la mdthode normale de filmage 
 sont indiqu^s ci-des^^sous. 
 
 □ Coloured pages/ 
 Pages de couleur 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 D 
 D 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 D 
 
 Pages damaged/ 
 Pages endommagies 
 
 Pages restored and/or laminated/ 
 Pages restaurdes et/ou pellicul6es 
 
 Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ 
 Pages d6color6es, tacheties ou piqu6es 
 
 Pages detached/ 
 Pages d6tachdes 
 
 Showthrough/ 
 Transparence 
 
 I I Quality of print varies/ 
 
 Quality in^gaie de I'impression 
 
 Includes supplementary material/ 
 Comprend du materiel supplAmontaire 
 
 Only edition avaiiable/ 
 Seule Edition disponible 
 
 Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata 
 slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to 
 ensure the best possible imbge/ 
 Les pages totalement ou partiellement 
 obscurcies par un feuiilet d'errata, une pelure, 
 etc., ont 4tA filmtes A nouveau de fapon A 
 obtenir la meilleure image possible. 
 
 This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ 
 
 Ce document est filmA au taux de reduction indiquA ci-dessous. 
 
 10X 14X 18X 22X 
 
 26X 
 
 30X 
 
 f : 
 
 12X 
 
 16X 
 
 20X 
 
 28X 
 
 J 
 
 32X 
 
lire 
 
 details 
 Lies du 
 : modifier 
 ger une 
 
 filmage 
 
 6es 
 
 The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks 
 to the generosity of: 
 
 Library of Congress 
 Photoduplication Service 
 
 The images appearing here are the best quality 
 possible considering the condition and legibility 
 of the original copy and in keeping with the 
 filming contract specifications. 
 
 Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed 
 beginning with the front cover and ending on 
 the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All 
 other original copies are filmed beginning on the 
 first page with a printed or illustrated impres- 
 sion, and ending on the last page with a printed 
 or illustrated impression. 
 
 re 
 
 The last recorded frame on each microfiche 
 shall contain the symbol — ► (meaning "CON- 
 TIIMUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), 
 whichever applies. 
 
 Maps, plates., charts, etc., may be filmed at 
 different reduction ratios. Those too large to be 
 entirely included in one exposure are filmed 
 beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to 
 right and top to bottom, as many frames as 
 required. The following diagrams illustrate the 
 method: 
 
 L'exemplaire U\m6 fut reproduit grSce d la 
 g6n6rosit6 de: 
 
 Library of Congress 
 Photoduplication Service 
 
 Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le 
 plus grand soin, compte tonu de la condition et 
 de la nettetd de l'exemplaire filmd, et en 
 conformity avec les conditions du contrat de 
 filmage. 
 
 Les exemplaires oriyinaux dont la couverture en 
 papier est imprimde sont filmds en commenpant 
 par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la 
 dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'illustration. soit par le second 
 plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires 
 originaux sont filmds en commenpant par la 
 premidre page qui comporte une empreinte 
 d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par 
 la dernidre page qui comporte une telle 
 empreinte. 
 
 Un des symboles suivants apparastra sur la 
 dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le 
 cas: le symbole — ^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le 
 symbols V signifie "FIN". 
 
 Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent §tre 
 film6s d des taux de reduction diff6rents. 
 Lorsqiid le document est trop grand pour dtre 
 reproduit en un seul cliche, il est f ilm6 A partir 
 de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, 
 et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre 
 d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants 
 illustrent la mdthode. 
 
 f errata 
 d to 
 
 It 
 
 le pelure, 
 
 pon A 
 
 U 
 
 32X 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
1+ 
 
 McGILL UNIVERSITY 
 
 PAPERS FROM THE DEPARTMENT 
 
 OF 
 
 Botany. 
 
 
 No. 6. — A Few Notes on Canadun Plant-Lore. 
 
 BY 
 
 Carrie M. Derick, M.A. 
 
 (Reprinted from the CtuMdUn Record of Science, Vol. tU.v No. 4.] 
 
 Montreal, 1897. 
 
" Reprinted from the Canadian Record of Science, Vol. VII., No. 4-" 
 
 A Few Notes on Canadian Plant-Lore. 
 
 By Carrie M. Dbrick, M.A., McCtill University. 
 
 In that part of the Province of Quebec known as 
 tlie Eastern Townships, are to be still found lingering 
 superstitions and quaint ideiis, which reveal the story 
 of the past. Clarenceville, which lies between Missisquoi 
 liay and the llichelieu lliver, is peopled by the descendants 
 of Dutch United Empire Loyalists. Owing, however, to 
 intermarriage with other nationalities, many of the traits 
 of the Dutch ancestors have been lost, and the current 
 folk-lore can frequently be traced to English, Irish, and 
 Scotch sources. Coming, as they did, more than one 
 hundred years ago to hew out a new home in the heart of 
 the primeval forest, they lived close enough to nature 
 to lay up a rich store of weird fancies and strange legends 
 for the delight of their children's children. But the 
 struggle for existence was too keen and the people too 
 closely occupied with the sternly practical side of life 
 to weave new stories of the mysterious world around 
 them, and even the old were forgotten. Moreover, the 
 effects of the late war were so deeply impressed upon 
 their hearts that the reminiscences of old age were of the 
 intense realities of the immediate past rather than of the 
 superstitions about field and wood. It is not surprising, 
 therefore, that the plant-lore of the community is largely 
 medicinal. 
 
 The doctrine of signatures, which supposed that plants 
 by their external characters indicated the diseases for 
 which nature intended them as remedies, has been 
 superseded by a scientific knowledge of the true 
 medicinal properties of plants. Nevertheless, many can 
 recall some old woman whose famous cures were effected 
 by means of herbs, and whose garret was redolent with the 
 peculiar odors of dried pennyroyal, mint, and tansy. 
 
 Among the time-honoured medicinal plants, are many 
 
Canadian Plant-Lore. 
 
 still considered must useful in home pharmacy. Celamline 
 {CluHdoniam majiix) is much valued as the basis of an oint- 
 ment used in various malignant diseases of the skin, and it is 
 said to be a permanent cure for scrofula. The plant was 
 held in high esteem in ancient times and was very popular 
 as an eye remedy. Culpepper says the plant is called 
 celandine from ;tE/«5(jv, the swallow, because " if you put 
 out the eyes of young swallows, when they are in the 
 nest, the old ones will recover their eyes again with this 
 herb."' liut Gerarde assures us such " things are vain 
 and false ; for Cornelius Celses, lib. 6, witnesseth, That 
 when the sight of the eies of divers birds is put forth by 
 some outward means, it will after a time be restored 
 of it selfe, and soonest of aU the sight of the swallow ; 
 whereupon (as the same author saith) the tale grew, how 
 thorow an herb the dams restore that thing which healeth 
 of it selfe."2 
 
 In Clarenceville, a salve made from the leaves of the 
 chamomile (Anthcmis nohilis) is frequently used, though 
 it is not, as in the past, considered' " a remedie against all 
 wearisomnesse."^ In the Townships, it is-* said that few 
 people can grow the plant, for " while some can handle it, 
 as soon as others touch it, it dies." This view is directly 
 opposed to the old English proverb, 
 
 " Like a camomile bed, 
 Tlie more it is trodden, 
 The more it will spread."* 
 
 Several species of Aralia are in great repute and 
 probably do possess remedial properties. They are sought 
 not only by the Canadian " simpler," but sarsaparilla is 
 the chief ingredient of a popular patent medicine. 
 Ginseng {Aralia quinqtiefolia), whose roots bear a supposed 
 resemblance to the human body, was highly esteemed 
 
 • Ciilpepper'a "Complete Herbal and EngliHli Physician enlarged." 
 >. >. " The Herball or General HUtortj of Plaiitg," by John Gerarde. 
 4 Dyer's Folk-Lore of Plants. 
 
221 
 
 nacy. Celandine 
 3 basis of an oint- 
 
 thc skin, and it is 
 The plant was 
 was very popular 
 e plant is called 
 uise "if you put 
 
 they are in the 
 s again with this 
 ' things are vain 
 
 witnesseth, Tliat 
 Is is put forth by 
 time be restored 
 
 of the swallow ; 
 tie tale grew, how 
 ing which healeth 
 
 the leaves of the 
 ntly used, though 
 miedie against all 
 i» said that few 
 )me can handle it, 
 is view is directly 
 
 Treat repute and 
 They are sought 
 3ut sarsaparilla is 
 patent medicine. 
 >ts bear a supposed 
 highly esteemed 
 
 enlarged." 
 1 Oerarde. 
 
 222 
 
 Canadian Recwd of Science. 
 
 by the Chinese and Japanese and by North American 
 Indians. Tcre Lafitau discovered the plant in Canada in 
 1716', and the greatest excitement ensued on account of 
 the high price the ])laut commanded in the market. M. 
 Garneau says : " Le ginseng (fie les Chinois tiraint a grand 
 frais du nord de I'Asie, fut porte des bords du St. 
 Laurent k Canton. II fut trouve excellent et vendu tri-s 
 cher; de sorte (lue Inentot une livre, qui ne valait a 
 Quebec ({ue de^ix francs, y monta jusqu'a vingt-cinq francs. 
 II en fut exportc, une annoe pour 500,000 francs. Le 
 haut prix que cette racine avait atteint, excita une aveugle 
 cupidite. On la cueillit an mois de mai an lieu du mois 
 de septembre, et on la fit secher an four au lieu de la faire 
 secher lentement et a I'ombre : elle ne valuit plus rien aux 
 yeux de Chinois, qui cesserent d'en acheter. Ainsi, un 
 commerce qui promettait de devenir une source de 
 richesse, tomba et s'eteignit complctement en pen 
 d'annees."^ As a blood-purifier, ginseng has ever been a 
 popular home medicine, and of late it has again become a 
 readily marketable commodity. Another member of tlie 
 family, spikenard (Aralia racemosa), is used for poultices 
 and as a salve in skin diseases. 
 
 The Compositae furnish several famous remedies. 
 Southernwood {Artemisia ahrotinum), as in the time of 
 Galen and Dioscorides, is thought good for inflammation 
 of the eyes." And the greatest of panaceas for all the ills 
 of man and beast, according to the simpler, is wormwood 
 (Artemesia aUinthiumY Froui early times it has been 
 held in deep veneration as a cure for inflammation, 
 sprains, wounds, and all " ill-humours and weaknesses." 
 Wormwood is a favorite disinfectant also. An old rhyme 
 by Tusser asks : 
 
 1 Mcmoiro & La Due d'Orleans, coiieermmt la Prccieiise Plante du Ginseng de 
 Taitarie U6couverte en Ani^riiiue jmr le Pore Josciili.PranQnis Liifitnu de la Coniimgnie 
 de Jesus. 
 
 5 L'Hlstolre du Canada, par F.-X. Garneau. 
 
 J. 4, Gerarde'g " Herball." 
 
 ;■ \' 
 
Canadian Plant-Lore. 223 
 
 " What savour is better, if physicke be true, 
 For places infected, than wormwood and rue?"' 
 
 The '•oot of elecampane {Inula hclenium) " taken with 
 hony or sugar made in an electuary . . . prevaileth 
 mightily against the cough,"'^ and a candy made from 
 it and molasses is most popular with tlie victims of 
 whooping-cough, whether from the healing properties or 
 soothing qualities of the sweet, it would be difficult to say. 
 
 The dyspeptic natures of the Clarenceville people 
 demand varied treatment, and boneset tea {Eupatormm 
 per/oliahcm), " dandelion bitters" {Taraxacum dcns-lconis), 
 and tansy tea {Taneccttim vulgare) are mentioned in 
 respectful tones by older people who measure the efficacy 
 of a medicine by its unpleasantness. Dandelions are 
 favourite "greens," and Culpepper, who is fond of preaching 
 a seimon, says of the herb " the French and Dutch do eat 
 it m the spring," showing, he adds, that • foreign physicians 
 are not so selfish as ours, but more communicative of the 
 virtues of plants to people."^ 
 
 Rheumatism is a disease of which the_; so-called cures 
 are as varied as the victims. The favouriie remedy is 
 to carry in the pocket a potato, which in some mysterious 
 way absorbc the disease. A piece of flax bound round the 
 afflicted member, or applications of smartweed {Polygonum'- 
 hydropiper) are also commonly used. 
 
 Saffron {Crocus sativus) is a Clarenceville cure for 
 measles, but it is not a local remedy. Gerarde says, " the 
 eyes being anointed with the same dissolved in milke 
 or fennel or rose water are preserved from being hurt by 
 small-pox or measles."* The use of saffron in cases of 
 jaundice is probably due to the bright yellow color of the 
 flower, of which Dioscorides said " it maketh a man well- 
 coloured."' 
 
 1 " The Folk-Lore of PlaiiU" by T. P. Thistleton Dyer. 
 >. 4. B. Geranle'a " Herball." 
 > Culpepiwr'a Complete IlerbnI. 
 
223 
 
 true, 
 
 ndruet"! r 
 
 mi) " taken with 
 . , prevaileth 
 laiuly made from 
 1 the victims of 
 ling properties or 
 be difficult to say. 
 reuceville people 
 , tea {Eupatoriuin 
 tacwm dens-leonis), 
 ire mentioned in 
 jasure the efficacy 
 Dandelions are 
 s fond of preaching 
 I and Dutch do eat 
 • foreign physicians 
 nnmnicative of the 
 
 the^ so-called cures 
 ivouriie remedy is 
 in some mysterious 
 IX bound round the 
 irtweed (Polygonum- 
 
 ■enceville cure for 
 Gerarde says, " the 
 dissolved in milke 
 from being hurt by 
 saffron in cases of 
 ; yellow color of the 
 tnaketh a man well- 
 
 224 
 
 Canadian Rrcoi'd of Science. 
 
 Throat and lung troubles are very prevalent in the 
 Eastern Townships, and many old remedies for coughs are 
 still used. Elecampane has been already noticed, 
 hemlock (Tauga Cmadeims) is steeped and taken for 
 ordinary colds, and a decoction of horehound {Marrubium 
 vidgarc) is esteemed by consumptives. More popular than 
 any other, liowever, is the Mullein (Vcrbascum thapsm), 
 once called the witches' taper. It is interesting to note 
 that in New England the mullein is made into a poultice 
 for tooth-ache. Gold-thread {Coptic trifolia), or " goold- 
 thread" as it is often called, is used -for the cure of 
 sore tliroats. " Smellage" or smallage (Ajniim, gravcolens) 
 is considered an excellent purifier of the blood. The 
 plantain {Plantago major) is used for the healing of 
 wounds, and the appHcation of a dock-leaf to the sting of 
 a nettle is as well known us the old English adage — 
 
 " Nettle out, dock in — 
 Dock remove the nettle sting."' 
 
 Applications of the dried and pulverized root of " yellow- 
 dock" {Rumex hritannica) or of galium will at once, it 
 is believed, stop the bleeding of a wound. 
 
 Although, in New England, plants with milky juice are 
 supposed to cause warts, in Clarenceville, the Juice of 
 the milkweed {Asclcpias cornnti) is considered an infallible 
 cure for them. 
 
 Hops will allay pain and induce sleep. An ear-ache 
 may be cured by an onion poultice. , The ash, which 
 in many places is considered a protection against serpents,^ 
 and with which a charm seems to have been always 
 connected, is another cure for an ear-aclie. A piece of 
 root is cut, one end is charred in the fire, the sap oozing 
 from the other end is caught and dropped into the ear, 
 whereupon the pain ceases. Catnip, catnep, or catmint 
 {Nepeta cataria), so-called because cats love its odour and 
 
 1 Dyer's Folk^Lore of Plants. , 
 a Fiske's Mjtlis and MytliMakere. 
 
Canadian Planf-Lore. 
 
 225 
 
 roll and tumble in it, has since the time of Gerarde been 
 steeped and taken to relieve pains of all kinds. 
 
 In the past, it was not so much the inherent remedial 
 properties of ))lants which brought them into repute as 
 supposed magical virtues or some peculiar method of 
 applying the remedy. This supei'stitious feeling still 
 exists, and a striking instance was alforded, in Clar- 
 enceville, by an old man, who cured wounds and soies, 
 especially of aninuils, by means of " the sticks." Up to 
 the time of his death, four years ago, he was in great 
 demand in cases which had defied the skill of a veter- 
 inary surgeon, and even those who were ashamed of 
 their belief said he ettected wonderful cures. His great 
 age, pompous maimer, absolute faith in himself, and his 
 supposed wisdom, derived from some Indians over 
 whom he had been captain, combined to make the 
 application of the sticks an impressive ceremony. A 
 charm or formula, which was kept a profound secret, 
 was used. So far as is known, the cure was wrought 
 as follows : — three slender twigs, about four inches 
 long, were cut from a sweet-apple tree, and sharp- 
 ened at both ends. Having been inserted in the wound 
 for a few minutes, they were removed, wrapped in paper, 
 and carefully tied up. As it was most important that 
 they should be uept warm, the operator carried them 
 in an inner pocket during the day and placed them under 
 his pillow at night. These precautions having been taken, 
 the most dangerous wound invariably healed rapidly. 
 The use of the number three and of the sweet-apple tree, 
 which has in many places ;uid at all times had mystic 
 virtues ascribed to it, perhaps indicate that this curious 
 local custom had its origin in an ancient practice. 
 
 The live-for-ever {Sedum telephium), which in West- 
 phalia is used as a charm against lightning, and which 
 serves as a love charm^ in some parts of England, was 
 formerly used by the Germans and" the English as a cure 
 
 ' "The Folk-Ijore of Plants" by Dyer. 
 
225 
 
 of Gerarde been 
 
 kinds. 
 
 nherent remedial 
 
 III into repute as 
 
 culiar method of 
 
 ions feeling still 
 Iforded, in Clar- 
 
 rounds and soies, 
 sticks." Up to 
 
 , he was in great 
 
 i skill of a veter- 
 were ashamed of 
 
 cures. His great 
 n himself, and his 
 
 ne Indians over 
 ned to make the 
 ive ceremony. A 
 a profound secret, 
 
 cure was wrought 
 
 ibout four inches 
 
 tree, and sharp- 
 
 erted in the wound 
 
 wrapped in paper, 
 ost important that 
 'ator carried them 
 
 placed them under 
 > having been taken, 
 .ily healed rapidly, 
 he sweet-apple tree, 
 1 times had mystic 
 ie that this curious 
 nt practice. 
 ft), which in West- 
 ghtning, and which 
 •ts of England, was 
 le English as a cure 
 
 226 
 
 CnnnUcan Record of Scicnt, 
 
 for various diseases. It is, however, in ill-repute in 
 Clareiiceville. Few will allow even a sprig of it in their 
 houses, believing tliat its tenacity of life is due to a power 
 of feeding upon the very existence of human beings, and 
 that it keeps fresli and green at tlieir expense. 
 
 Although the old superstitions have lost their power, 
 some have a lingering belief in the possibility of finding 
 water by means of a witch-hazel twig, and in the 
 protection from lightning, which is afforded by a beech- 
 tree, and many niore own to a decidedly uncomfortaljle 
 feeling if an apple-tree blossom in the fall. This is due to 
 a belief common in New England and embodied in an 
 old Northamptonshire proverb — • ' 
 
 " A bloom upon the apple-tree, when the apples are ripe, 
 Ib a sure termination to Boniebody's life." 
 
 The idea of any unseasonable event or dream being 
 a token of ill-luck is voiced in a saying " to dream of 
 fruit out of season is to sorrow out of reason." This is a 
 wrongly quoted and misapplied English rhyme,' which is 
 an example of the many changes which plant-lore under- 
 goes in its travels from one country to another. A 
 curious instance of differences in word and thought is 
 furnished by a Clarenceville and New England dictum, 
 " An apple in the morning is golden, at noon it is silver, 
 but at night it is lead." While a Devonshire rhyme says : 
 
 " Eat an apple going to bed, 
 Make the doctor beg his bread."''' 
 
 Little can be added to the plant names, weather-lore, 
 love-charms, and children's games, mentioned by the 
 writer in a former paper.^ The compass plants of different 
 countries vary greatly, and a bit of local woodcraft is the 
 belief that the topmost branch of a pine or hemlock 
 always points to the north. The weather-wise say that 
 " the turning up of leaves so as to show the lighter under 
 side is a sure sign of rain." This appearance, which is 
 
 1. >. " The Folk-Lore of Plauts" by Dyer. 
 < Canadian Record of Science, April, 1803. 
 
Ztp.M9 130(r 
 
 Canadian Plant-Lore. 
 
 227 
 
 an adaptation to reduced transpiration, is really due to 
 the curling of a leaf in times of drought, so as to present 
 the edge to the rays of the sun. Several curious 
 expressions are common. A man, from fear or ague, may 
 " shake like a popple-leaf," a calm person is " as cool as a 
 cucumber," and a wealthy man is " worth a plum," while 
 a valueless object or person " is not worth shucks." As 
 in New Eagland,* " shucks" for nut-shells, the " tossell and 
 silk" of the corn and " corn-cob" are common terms. 
 
 In regard to plant names, there is a lack of interesting 
 matter. Little discrimination is shown, and, to the 
 majority, all small, pale, spring-flowers are "mayflowers." 
 Popular English plant names are sometimes misapplied, 
 for instance, the marsh-marigold {Caltha palustris) is 
 called " the cowslip," periwinkle ( Vinca minor) is known 
 as " myrtle," and the jewel-weed (Impatiensfulva) is often 
 styled " smart- weed." Another popular name for the jewel- 
 weed, "touch-me-not," referring to the sudden bursting 
 of tl.3 pods when touched, may account for a curious idea 
 that the plant is poisonous to the touch and will cause 
 blindness. 
 
 A favourite amusement, transplanted from England, is 
 to pluck the rays of a daisy one by one, at the same time 
 repeating the formula, " Eich man, poor man, beggar mau, 
 thief, doctor, lawyer, merchant, chief." The term used 
 with the last ray indicates the status of the future spouse 
 of the experimenter. As elsewhere, four-leaved clovers 
 exercise their magic spell, dandelion curls and whistling 
 grasses rejoice the hearts of successive generations of boys 
 and girls, and practical jokes owing to the confusion 
 of lady's thumb knotweed (Polygonum persicarUi) -and 
 the smartweed (P. hydropipex) have a perennial fres' ness. 
 Thus the fancies and games of childhood prolong the 
 fading romance of the past, and furnish connecting links 
 which prove the whole world kin. 
 
 >Th« Century Magiuiiie, Apri), 1894. 
 
■Lore. 
 
 227 
 
 ration, is really due to 
 rought, so as to present 
 sun. Several curious 
 , from fear or J^ue, may 
 person is " as cool as a 
 " worth a plum," while 
 lot worth shucks." As 
 t-shells, the " tossell and 
 lb" are common terms. 
 8 is a lack of interesting 
 is shown, and, to the 
 towers are " mayflowers." 
 e sometimes misapplied, 
 Id {Caltha palustris) is 
 ( Vinca minor) is known 
 [Impatiensfulva) is often 
 opular name for the jewel- 
 to the sudden bursting 
 ccount for a curious idea 
 the touch and will cause 
 
 planted from England, is 
 by one, at the same time 
 in, poor man, beggar mau» 
 
 chief." The term used 
 itatus of the future spouse 
 ?hero, four-leaved clovers 
 lelion curls and whistling 
 jessive generations of boys 
 
 owing to the confusion 
 'olygonum persicaria) -and 
 lave a perennial fresi ness. 
 of childhood prolong the 
 i furnish connecting links 
 in. 
 
r