184 DERIVATIONS OF THE LATIN NAMES OP PLANTS. 



into the same field the summer following, were immediately affected with similar 

 symptoms, but removed in time to prevent the fatal consequences ; since which 

 Mr. Moncton has never hazarded the depasturing of it by neat cattle." The 

 English name ought to be in the singular ; being so named especially of the 

 Virgin Maby, " Our Lady,'' whose paraphernalia was rendered complete by the 

 misapplied ingenuity of cloistered devotees, as diffused through the ancient 

 herbals. 



Alchemilla Alpina, Alpine Lady's -mantle, Cinquefoil Lady's-mantle. — Nothing 

 can be more beautiful than the silvery splendour of the under sides of the leaves, 

 especially in exposed and barren situations, when agitated by the wind. No 

 figure can do them justice. The upper surface is smooth and naked, of a fine 

 green. It is common on many of the Highland mountains, and supposed by 

 Lightfoot and others to aid considerably in giving the peculiarly excellent flavour 

 to Highland mutton. 



Alchemilla arvensis, Field Lady's-mantle, Parsley-piert. — It was formerly 

 eaten raw or pickled ; and thought serviceable in cases of gravel and stone. 

 Camden, in his Britannia, supposing it a much rarer plant than it really is, 

 either in England or other countries, describes it as " Percepier" (q. d. break- 

 stone), growing wild about Keynsham, in Somersetshire. The barbarous word 

 Parsley-piert, Gerarde observes, " must have been given by some simple man, 

 who had not well learned the true term." 



Alisma. — Derived from alis, water, in Celtic, because the species f grow in 

 watery places. 



Alisma plantago, Water Plantain, Greater Thrum-wort. — Withering has the 

 following remarks respecting this plant. It is acrimonious and blistering, and 

 said to resemble Crowfoot in its general qualities. Cattle are sometimes much 

 injured, if not killed, by it, as atrophy and paralysis supervene. Gray states 

 that the juice is used for drying up milk in the breast. The tubers are farinace- 

 ous, and recommended in hydrophobia ; especially in Russia, where its use was 

 (in 1820) sanctioned by the College of Physicians of Moscow. The practice was 

 subsequently made known in North America ; and though specifics are not 

 latterly in repute with the more enlightened of the medical faculty, it seems desir- 

 able to afford publicity to whatever may by possibility relieve so dreadful a disorder. 

 We, therefore, insert the following notice by Mr. C. Whitlaw, of Great-Russel- 

 Street, London, who reports that — " a remedy for the poison of the Rattle-snake 

 was purchased by the Assembly of South Carolina, of a negro, by giving him his 

 freedom, and an annuity of £ 100 for life." This remedy was derived from Alisma 

 plantago, and the same writer adds — " in order to induce the faculty to give its 

 virtues a fair trial, as as anti-spasmodic, I may observe that I have frequently 

 seen cattle who have eaten the Alisma completely paralysed, so that they could 



