222 THE FRUITS OF THE COUNTRY-SIDE 



else, with the rose. It is also sometimes called the 

 cop-rose. Prior, in his Popular Names of British Plants, 

 suggests that this is " from its red rose-like flower, and 

 the cop or button-like shape of its capsule." Those 

 who find this explanation sufficient are almost to be envied ; 

 for the flower is not at all rose-like, while buttons, 

 even if we are willing to think of them as cops, are 

 yet of all sorts of shapes. Other names are cheese-ball, the 

 globular head suggesting a spherical cheese, and headache 

 from the presumed efi^ects of the odour of the flower.^ 



Botanically our plant is the Papaver Rhceas. The 

 first name descends to us at all events from the days 

 of Pliny, but those who do not find in this a sufficient 

 justification for the name invite us to believe, which 

 we personally decline to do, that it was so called " because 

 the plant was administered with pap to induce sleep." 

 All the poppies are very narcotic^ in property, the opium 

 poppy being notably so. The specific name Rhceas signifies 

 a pomegranate, as the capsules somewhat resemble that 

 fruit in their form. 



On the summit of the capsule are still retained the 

 rays of the stigma, making a very pleasing star-like 

 form, and immediately beneath these rays will be seen 

 a series of little apertures through which the seeds, when 

 ripe, very speedily find their way. In two of our British 



]; Corn poppies, that in crimson dwell, 



Called Headaches from their sickly smell. 



Clare. 

 * Not poppy, nor mandragora, 



Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world. 

 Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep 

 Which thou ow'dst yesterday. 



Shakespeare, Othello. 



