'IHK AMKKllAN FU)'IAXIST l-M 



troiii f'ltlcx meaning a flea. From piilcyium it became piilcimn 

 ihen piiliall or poliol and tinally "pennyroyal". The Ameri- 

 can plant i^ naturally known as "mock i)ennyr()yal" and 

 "American pennyroyal." It is also called "squaw-weed" from 

 ii> u>e as medicine by the Indians. "Tickseed" probably re- 

 .ir> to it> u>e ai;ain>t insects. The oil is a well known defense 

 —if sucli there l)e — against mosquitos. 



Our only species of thyme is Thymus serpyllnm. Unlike 

 most other plants it does not derive its common name from the 

 generic name for it was known as thymus long before scientif- 

 ic names came into fashion. As we have already noted, the 

 w I >rd has some connection with incense, as well it might, con- 

 sidering the plant's aromatic odor. It is also called "creeping 

 thyme", "mother of thyme" and "shepherd's thyme". "Penny 

 mountain" connects it with pennyroyal and "hillwort" pos- 

 sibly refers to its growth in broken country. This is the 

 species to which Shakespeare alludes in : 

 "I know a bank 

 Whereon the wild thvme grows." 



ADDITIONAL PLANTS NAMES 



rp HE series of articles on "Plant Names and their mean- 

 -'■ ings" now running in this magazine is designed to serve 

 two purposes. In the first place it is desired to put into cnv- 

 nected form an explanation of current common names for 

 the benefit of those wiio ha\e not the time to look up this in- 

 formation for themselves, but in addition it is hoped that the 

 series may bring out further notes and suggestions. That 

 this latter hope is being realized is shown by the responses 



