ARUM AND CALL A. 303 



The name of Arum for this family of curious 

 plants is derived from \A/>a, Noxa, Injury, because 

 the root when eaten without preparation affects the 

 tongue with a pungency as if it were pricked with a 

 needle. 



CUCKOO PINT, or WAKE ROBIN. Arum 

 Maculatum. 



This native plant frequently finds its way into the 

 banks of our orchards and shrubberies, although it 

 is seldom if ever cultivated. We shall, however, 

 not let pass unnoticed what seems to have excited 

 more regard in ancient times. 



Pliny tells us that the leaves of the Arum were 

 anciently used to preserve cheese, by covering it 

 over with them. AVedelius is of opinion that the 

 Chara, which Caesar's soldiers found abundantly 

 about Dyrrachium, was this plant. Being reduced 

 to straits for want of provisions, they mixed the 

 roots with milk, and made them into a sort of bread. 

 But this probably was the Italian Arum, the roots 

 of which are considerably larger than those of Eng- 

 land. The roots of the latter might certainly be 

 eaten with safety, after having their acrid nature 

 destroyed by several waters. 



