114 



NAMES OF PLANTS. 



Castan'i:a, or Casta'nea, Pliny. L. for Cliestniit; from 

 Castania, a town in Thessaly that was famous for its 

 Chestnut trees. 



CatabPcO'sa. From G., catahrosis, a gnawing; from the 

 erose extremities of the glumes. 



Cau'calis, Hippocrates. G., from ceo, I lie down, and caulos, 

 a stem. 



Centau'hea, Pliny. From centaur, of heathen mythology, 

 a being half man and half horse. " Centaury, it is 

 said, effected a cure for Chiron, on the occasion 

 when, while handling the arms of Hercules, his 

 guest, he let one of the arrows fall upon his foot ; 

 hence it is that by some it is called ' Chironion.' " — 

 Plin}^ This centaur Chiron was reported in Greek 

 mj'thology to be famous for his knowledge of medi- 

 cine, and to have taught mankind the uses of plants, 

 especially medicinal herbs. 

 CalcWrapa. "Name due to the resemblance of the calyx 

 to the caltrojjs, or iron ball covered with spikes for- 

 merly used for throwing under the horses' feet to 

 lame them on a field of battle." — E. B. 

 Cy^anus, Pliny. G. name for this plant (which we call 



Blue-bottle), cijanos, meaning of a blue colour. 

 Ja'cea, Clusius. The meaning is uncertain. The name 

 was originally given to Heart's-ease ; Centaurea 

 Jacea was called Jacea nigra, to distinguish it. 

 Scahio'sa, Brunfels. L., rough, scurf}^ scabby; but 

 whether on account of the roughness of most of the 

 plants to which the name was given, or of some sup- 

 posed medicinal virtue, I know not. Gerard tells us, 

 "It is reported that it cureth scabs." The name was 

 former^ given to several thistle -heads. 



Centeanth'us. From G. centi^ a spur, and antlios, flower; 

 Spur Valerian. 



