38 FLORA HISTORICA. 



but its general names in that country are Primevere 

 and Primerole. 



The name of Cowslip seems to have originated 

 from the Saxon word cuslippe, which is thought to 

 have originated from the resemblance which the 

 perfume of these flowers has to the breath of a 

 cow, or from its being so closely pressed away by 

 the lip of the cow in the pastures, where it is 

 considered an injurious weed, that occupies a 

 space which clover or other nutritious plants should 



fill. 



Silk worms will feed upon the leaves of the 

 Cowslip, but their silk is of no value unless they 

 are supplied with the leaves of the mulberry tree. 



The leaves were formerly eaten in salad, but the 

 ease by which we now procure lettuce and other 

 exotic salad plants in our kitchen gardens, has 

 banished those of our fields from the table. 



