.406 Popular Plant Names. 



the resemblance of the plant to candles used in churches, at least 

 so say some authorities, while others say that it was because the 

 stalks were used as torches at funerals after being dipped in suet. 

 The name of hig taper became corrupted into hag taper, because 

 of a belief that it was used by witches when working their spells. 

 Another name for the mullein was flannel flower, because of the 

 woolliness of its leaves and stems, this tomentum being dried and 

 used as tinder. Bullock's lungwort was another of its cogno- 

 mens, while the modern Romans are said to speak of it by a 

 name which signifies " Light of the Lord." 



The common mugwort, which some say was itself originally a 

 corruption of motherwort, of our fields is simply corrupted intO' 

 muggart, but I am told that a popular name in Wigtownshire waS' 

 bowlocks — for what reason I cannot form any idea. The plant 

 has many virtues attributed to it, and an old Scottish legend, 

 which tells how a mermaid of the Clyde exclaimed, on seeing' 

 the funeral of a young girl who had died of consumption, may 

 be quoted. It runs thus: — 



If they wad drink nettles in Maroh 



An' eat muzzart in May, 

 Sae miny braw maidens 



Wad not go to clay. 



In one part of Russia it is said to be called by a name signifying' 

 the herb of forgetfulness, while in another it is called simply 

 bech, from the belief, derived from an old legend, that when a. 

 horse steps on the mugwort the plant moans " Bech, bech." 



Briza media, that pretty little grass, is called with us simply 

 shakin' grass, but elsewhere it bears such titles as cow quakes, 

 dotherin' or dodderin' dicks, tremlin' grass, quakin' grass or' 

 ladies' hair, the last being also one of the names of stipa pennata, 

 the feather grass, and more appropriate as applied to it than tO' 

 the briza. 



Achillea ptarmica is well known here as the wild yarrow or 

 sneezeurrt, but it has also borne such names as goose tongue and. 

 wild pellitory; while achillea millefolium, the common yarrow, 

 has had several designations besides that of milfoild. From 

 being used as a cure for bleeding at the nose it was called' 

 nose-bleed, and it was also old man's pepper, and the soldier's- 

 woundwort. 



We are familiar with southernwood, or old man, as popular' 



