304 FLORA HISTORICA. 



Mr. White notices, in his History of Selborne, 

 that the roots of the Arum are scratched up and 

 eaten by the thrushes in severe snowy seasons, and 

 the berries are devoured by several kinds of birds, 

 particularly by pheasants. 



Bears seek this plant as a necessary medicine to 

 open their stomachs, after they have lain for several 

 weeks without food. 



This species of Arum was formerly called Starch 

 Wort, on account of the roots being employed to 

 stiffen ruffs and frills, particularly in the time of 

 Queen Elizabeth, when these ornaments were worn 

 by gentlemen as well as ladies. Gerard, who wrote 

 during the virgin reign, says, " the most pure 

 and white starch is made of the rootes of Cuckoo 

 Pint ; but most hurtful! for the hands of the laun- 

 dresse that hath the handling of it, for it choppeth, 

 blistereth, and maketh the hands rough and rugged, 

 and withall smarting." These roots have occasion- 

 ally been used as a substitute for soap ; and Mr. 

 Ray particularly mentions their being used about 

 Maidstone in Kent for that purpose. The roots 

 loose their acrimony in drying, and become farina- 

 ceous and insipid. It is from these roots, dried and 

 powdered, that the French make a wash for the 

 skin, which is esteemed a good and innocent cos- 

 metic, and which sells for a high price, under the 

 name of Cypress powder. In Worcestershire they 



