NAMES OF PLANTS. 143 



Malach'ium. The word would seem to mean " Mallow- 

 like " (G., malache, a mallow), but the plant has no 

 resemblance to a mallow, and the explanation is more 

 likely to be G., malakos, soft or feeble ; from the 

 nature of the plant. 



Malax'is. G., a softening ; on account of the tender nature 

 of the plant. 



Mal'va, Plin3^ L. for mallows. Altered from the G. name 

 malache, which is from malass, soften ; in allusion to 

 the emollient properties of the species. 



Marru'bium, Pliny. The meaning of the name is uncertain. 



Matrica'ria, Brunfels. Named from its reputed medicinal 

 virtues. 

 ChamomiVla, Tragus. G., cliamaimelon, meaning literally 

 ground apple ; so called (according to Gerard) because 

 the flowers have the smell of an apple. 

 Parthenium, Dioscorides. G. name for the plant. 



Matthi'ola, Plumier. Named in honour of Matthiolus. 

 See p. 37. 



Meconop'sis. . From G., mecon, a poppy, and opsis, a face 

 or appearance. 



Medica'go, Tournefort. The medice of the Greeks; so 

 called because it was introduced into Greece by the 

 Medes. 



Melam'pyrum, Theophrastus. From G., melas, black, and 

 pyros, wheat. Its seeds resemble wheat, and are said, 

 when mixed with it, to make the bread black. 



Mel'ica, Dodonseus. "Melica/or Melliga, name given in 

 Italy to the Sorghum vulgare, on account of the 

 sweet flavour of its stem (L., 7nel, honey), was applied 

 by Linneus to this somewhat allied genus." — Hooker 

 and Arnott. 



Melilo'tus, Pliny. From L., mel, honey, and Lotus, which 

 see. 



