COTYLEDON. 107 



annual plant. The seeds may be sown pretty thick, either 

 in spring or autumn ; and, if they all grow, they should 

 be thinned where too close. Those sown in autumn will 

 flower in May and June. The spring-sown seeds will 

 come to flower a month later. The earth should be 

 moderately moist. 



COWSLIP. 



PRIMULA VERIS. 



PRIMULACEjS;. pentandria monogynia. 



The Cowslip^, i . e. cow's lip, is of the same genus as the primrose. 

 The Yorkshire people call the Cowslip Cow-stripling. It is also called 

 Herb-Peter, and Paigles. — French, la primevere, primerole ; herbe de 

 la paralysie [palsy herb] ; fleur de coucou ; bavillon. — Italian, priraa- 

 vera. — In the Venetian territory, primola. — Some of these are also 

 used for the primrose. 



The Common Cowslip, or Paigle, is common in Europe, 

 both in moist sand and upland pastures, and on the borders 

 of fields. In a clayey or loamy soil it thrives best, and 

 prefers an open situation. It flowers in April and May. 

 Though respected both for its beauty and utility, the 

 Cowslip, in pastures where it is very common, becomes an 

 injurious weed. The leaves are eaten in salads, and re- 

 commended for feeding silk-worms before the mulberry- 

 leaves make their appearance. The flowers are very 

 fragrant; and a pleasant and wholesome wine is made 

 from them, approaching in flavour to the muscadel wines 

 of the South of France. It is said to be an inducer of 



sleep. 



" For want of rest. 



Lettuce and cowslip- wine : probatum est." 



Pope. 



