The Scottish Naturalist. 53 



such astonishing ignorance and superstition passed in their day 

 for philosophers and men of letters." 



Most Scottish botanists will probably agree with us in think- 

 ing that something might be done to rescue from that oblivion 

 to which an increasing knowledge of modern botanical nomen- 

 clature, and greater contact with the world at large on the part 

 of dwellers in hitheruo secluded districts, is fast hurrying the 

 local names of Scottish plants, and we will with pleasure publish 

 from time to time in the "Scottish Naturalist" any lists that are 

 forwarded to us. 



In such lists may be noted : — 



1st. The local name (with its scientific equivalent.) 



2nd. The district where it is, or was, in use. 



3rd. Whether the use of the name is common, or becom- 

 ing obsolete. 



4th. The probable derivation or origin. 



5th. Any economic uses (for medicine, dyes, &c.,) to 

 which the plants are put by the inhabitants of the 

 district. 



In the meantime we give as examples a few local names that 

 we have met with : — 



The first few we give are, or were, Galloway Plant-Names, and are extracted 

 from a " Gallovidian Encyclopedia," published in 1824 by John Mactaggart, 

 who seems to have derived much of his plant information from the "Yirb- 

 wives '' or herb gatherers. The etymology of some of these names seems to 

 be rather obscure, and we should be obliged to any one who will assist in ex- 

 plaining them. Hech-how, is Hemlock ( Com tun macula turn. J Moonog is the 

 Cranberry (Vaccinium oxyeqecos). It is perhaps worth mentioning that in 

 Inverness-shire V. Vitis-Id<ra is called the cranberry', and that the fruit is 

 sent to market in large quantittes. Primroses (Primula vulgaris J are plum- 

 rocks or pi mroses, — the latter name evidently a corruption of primrose. Bit Ulster 

 is the Sloe, ( Prunus communis J, or rather a large form of it common on sea- 

 shores, and is a form of ballacc, which is again from the Latin bullas. Robifi- 

 tin-the-hedge is Cleavers, (Galium aparine), though a similar name, Robiu- 

 run-in-the-hedgc\% applied to Nepeta Glechoma, (Prior., p. 196). Gowlinsox 

 Hornecks appear to be Earth-nuts, (Conopodium denudatum) though Dr. Prior 

 states that the name Gozvlan (from gulden) is applied to yellow flowers, such as the 

 Trollius, Caltha, &c. Pasper\s Samphire ( Crith mum maritimum) ; Rows is 

 House-leek, ( Semperz'ivumJ ; and gall-busses or -bushes, are Sweet-Gale (Mv- 

 ricaj, — in Turner's Herbal the name is Gall, which Dr Prior suggests is a 

 corruption of galangale, a name that may have been acquired from its fragrance 

 while burning, and which through its intense bitterness has become confounded 

 with gall. Dishalago is Coltsfoot (Tussilagoj, and is apparently a cor- 



