64 POISONOUS PLANTS 



The Wood-sorrel was formerly called *' Alleluya 

 and Cuckowe's-meat, because," as Gerarde says, 

 " When it springeth foorth the cuckowe singeth 

 most ; at which time also Alleluya was woont to 

 be sung in our churches." Alleluia, however, is 

 really only a corruption of the Calabrian name, 

 Juliola. 



The plant has a pleasant acid taste, and is 

 consequently used in salads as the Common 

 Sorrel. 



Linnaeus tells us that it was so plentiful in Lap- 

 land, that the inhabitants there use scarcely any 

 other vegetable than this and Angelica. 



The juice will remove ink-spots in consequence 

 of the binoxalate of potash that it contains ; sold 

 under the names of " Salt of Sorrel " and " Essen- 

 tial Salt of Lemons," names which sound harmless 

 enough ; but the latter, at least, is very misleading, 

 for it is really a dangerous poison. It has been 

 taken in mistake for bitartrate of potash, or cream 

 of tartar.^ 



* Dr. Tanner prescribes the following treatment for poison- 

 ing hy Sorrel^ Wood-Sorrel^ or Oxalic Acid. Chalk, whiting, 

 or magnesia, suspended in water or in some demulcent fluid, 

 must be administered immediately ; and, if necessary, 

 vomiting should be excited by tickling the fauces, or 

 administering emetics of mustard or sulphate of zinc, etc., 

 followed by large quantities of emollient drinks. The anti- 

 dote, to be effective, must be given as soon as possible ; the 

 plaster of the apartment being used in the absence of the 



