142 THE AMERICAN BOTANIST 



how the monarch became connected with the berry. One 

 tradition has it that King Canute was once saved from star- 

 vation bv eating the fruits of this species. The fact must not 

 be overlooked in this connection, however, that in the north 

 of England, knot means a hill and it is quite possible that the 

 name may have been given the i^lant for its habit of growing 

 in elevated places. According to Prior the knotty joints of the 

 stems of this plant gave it its common name. 



Among the names applied to Trillium sessile and T. re- 

 curratuui we failed to include "beefsteak" which is commonly 

 used in parts of Illinois. The reference is of course to the 

 dull red flowers not unlike raw beef in color. The name of 

 "true-love" applied to T. erectnm is explained when it be- 

 comes known that this name was long ago applied to Paris 

 qnadrifolia of Europe because the four leaves are arranged 

 "in the form of a true-love knot." Paris being a member of 

 the Trilliaceae, some ancient chronicler simply transferred 

 the name to a species with three leaves, to the consequent 

 mystification of later students. 



In connection with the notes on the lilies, it may be of 

 interest to know that Liliuiii iiiarfagou, the true "turk's cap 

 lilv," is regarded i)y many as the "lily of the field" spoken of 

 in the Bible. It is probably the original also of that hyacinth 

 which is fabled to have sprung from tlic blood of a youth 

 killed by Apollo. 



