278 FLORA HISTORICA . 



ing the spleen, it disposes persons to be cheerful. 

 Coles thinks the name of Anagallis was given it 

 from its growing abundantly by the river Gallus ; 

 but the most rational idea seems that it was derived 

 from avayw, anacjo, to extract or draw out, since we 

 find that the branches and leaves of the plant being 

 pounded were used by the ancients, not only to 

 draw forth thorns and splinters, but it was also 

 considered of sufficient efficacy to extract the points 

 of arrows and spears that were broken in the flesh. 



The French call this plant Mouron, and the 

 English name of Pimpernel, by which the earliest 

 of our herbarists distinguish the plant, seems de- 

 rived from Primprenelle, the French name for 

 Burnet. 



In floral language this little flower is made the 

 symbol of assignation. 



The Pimpernel is propagated by the curious in 

 British plants, by sowing the seeds soon after they 

 are ripe on a border of light earth. The Blue- 

 flowered Pimpernel, being more uncommon in the 

 field, is naturally the more desired in the garden ; 

 and as it is a delicate pretty flower, that we love to 

 see in the small parterre, or on the banks or borders 

 of the larger pleasure garden, we shall observe 

 that it may be increased by cuttings ; and when 

 planted in a pot of light earth, and placed in a hot- 

 bed, it will produce flowers in about six weeks. 



