PIMPERNEL. 301 



tion whether the experiments were made with 

 the blue or the scarlet kinds. 



Etymologists differ materially respecting the 

 derivation of the name of this plant. Dr. Mar- 

 tyn says the generic name is from kvaycLKkig, of 

 Discorides, from a^joLysy.aco, to laugh ; because by 

 curing the spleen, it disposes persons to be cheer- 

 ful. 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 avayo), anago, 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 Moiiron, and the 

 Enghsli name of Pimpernel, by which the ear- 

 liest of our herbarists distinguish the plant, seems 

 derived from Primprmelle, 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 



