PrRlM.l'', ORCHIS 



79 



The seeds bcin;^ l>\;^"il '^>id small are dispcrsctl liy the w iiul. 



The Purple Orchkl is a peat plant, and requires hiinnis soil. 



A tly, ParalliloDiuia alhiccps, is found on it. 



Orchis, Thcophrastus, is troni a dreek word oir/iis, used for plants 

 with a tuberous root. 



The plant is called I )rake's-feet, Froy wort, Ciandcrgoose, Gandi 

 gosling, Gethsemanc, Gcuky- 

 flower, Giddy Gander, Goosic 

 gander, Gowk Meat, Gramfer- 

 greygles, Red Granfer gregors. 

 Slander Grass, Greygles, 

 Gussets, Kettle Case, Kettle 

 I'ail, King I-'inger, Long Pur- 

 ples. Man Orchis, Xightcap, 

 Poor Man's Blood, Priest's 

 Pintle, Purples, Rag-wort, 

 Red ISutcher, Red-lead. Ring 

 Pinger, .Salep, .Scab -gowks. 

 Single Castle. Single - grass, 

 Skeat - legs, Snake P"lower, 

 Soldiers' Jackets, <S:c. 



Phe Purple Orchid is called 

 Gethsemane because it was 

 said to have grown at the foot 

 of the Cross, and received 

 drops of blood on its lea\es. 



The name Lover's Wanton 

 is explained thus: " Rustics 

 believe that if you take the 

 proper half of the root of an 

 Orchis and get anyone of the 



opposite sex to eat it, it will produce a powerful aftection for you, 

 while the other half will produce as strong an aversion ". 



Then round the medtlowes did slic walke, 

 Catching each flower by the .stalke: 

 Such as within the meddowcs grew, 

 As dead men's thumb and harebell blew. 



Pi Ri'T.K Orchis {Orchis mnscnla, L.) 



The tubers are so called from their redtlish colour. 

 Skeat -legs, scaet meaning a swathing, refers to the sheathing 

 leave.s. The dark flower spikes were called Adam, the pale ones Eve, 



