94 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



To field ia pahislris and 7\ glutinosa. Nartheciiim Aincricaniini 

 is the "bog asphodel" while the specific name of Xerophyllum 

 €Splwdcloidcs again refers to the name. Since nothing is defi- 

 nitely known aboutj the asphodel of the poets it is as well to 

 call these plants false asphodels as any. It may be added in 

 passing that some assert that the original asphodel was the 

 poet's narcissus {Narcisstis pocticus) and that the common 

 tongue has since changed asphodel first to "affodil" and then 

 to "dafifodil." The asphodel of the poets is always connected 

 with death. It was reputed to grow on the confines of the 

 infernal regions and was probably among the flowers let fall 

 by Proserpine during her memorable encounter with Pluto. 

 The bright yellow blossoms and grass-like leaves of Narthe- 

 ciiim Americanum have given it the name of "yellow grass" 

 while its fondness for moors accounts for "moor grass." 

 "Rosa solis," applied to this species, seems to have no special 

 significance, Xcrophylluin asphodeloidcs is commonly known 

 as "turkey-beard" from its feathery panicles of bloom. 



One of the best known vernacular names of Chatuacucr- 

 iiim lutenui is "blazing star," though how this character can 

 be read into the pale yellow blossoms is a mystery. The 

 name of "drooping starwort" has reference to the nodding 

 tips of the unopened raceme. After "blazing star," "Devil's 

 bit" is perhaps the commonest common name. The refer- 

 ence is to the root which has the form known as premorse, 

 that is, it appears as if bitten off. In the Old World the 

 "scabious" {Scahiosa) is given this name. The legend is that 

 the plant was one of marvellous medicinal properties residing 

 largely in the root. Out of spite the devil is said to have bitten 

 off the tip of the root to impair its healing properties. The 

 names "Unicorn root" and "unicorn plant," doubtless refer 

 to the root also. 



