152 FLORA HISTORICA. 



We have likewise seen it growing most abundantly 

 on the ancient boundary walls of the gardens be- 

 longing to the episcopal palace of Chichester, in 

 Sussex. 



The old English name of Setewale, for this plant, 

 is derived from the Saxon. Chaucer writes of it 

 under this appellation as long back as the time of 

 Edward the Third. 



Ther springen herbes grete and smale, 

 The Licoris and the Setewale. 



Dr. Turner^ who compiled his Herbal during 

 the reign of Queen Mary, calls it Setwall, and he 

 observes that it is the plant which is named Vale- 

 riana Major by the common herbarists. 



Gerard, who wrote in the succeeding reign, tells 

 us that it was called '' Holie Herbe, Juno''s Teares, 

 Mercurie's IMoist Bloude, and Pigeon's Grasse, or 

 Columbine, bicause Pigeons are delighted to be 

 amongst it, as also to eate thereof." 



The Latins are thought to have called this plant 

 Valeriana, from its powers in medicine, or as some 

 suppose after Vectius Valens, a favourite physician 

 of the empress Messalina, wife to Claudius Ca?sar, 

 as it appears to have been called Phu previous to 

 his time. 



The Red Valerian grows naturally on the rocks 

 of the Alps, and from the facility with which it 



