102 GUERNSE Y. 
from eating the roots, which smell and taste like parsnips. Cattle 
eat them whenever they can, but inevitably with fatal results, unless 
an antidote be administered immediately. In some parts of England 
this plant is called Dead Tongue, from its paralysing effects on the 
organs of the voice. 
Aethusa Cynapium, L. Frool’s Parsley. 
Colonist. First record: Gosselin, 1815. 
Rather rare, but found in all parts of the island as a weed in 
cultivated ground, especially in gardens. As a rule, single in- 
dividuals, or at most two or three plants, occur in each locality. 
The patois name is Zwe-/apin, literally kill-rabbit. It is a very 
dangerous plant, producing when eaten vomiting, giddiness, and 
frequently death. It closely resembles Parsley in foliage, but emits 
a nauseous smell when rubbed; when flowering, the long, pendulous 
bracts at once distinguish it from every other British umbellate. 
Foeniculum officinale, All. Fennel. 
Denizen. First record: Gosselin, 1815. 
Common in the sandy ground of the north and north-west, but 
much less frequent in the interior and hilly parts, though found here 
and there in waste corners and near houses all over the island. 
The patois name is Fanouwé, allied to the modern French Fenouzd, 
and the English Fezne/. From time immemorial it has been used. 
as a sauce or garnish for fish, especially salmon and mackerel. 
There was an old belief mentioned by Pliny, and adopted by many 
writers of the Shakespearean age, that this plant ‘hath a wonderful 
propertie to take away the film or web that overcasteth and dimmeth 
our eyes.’ 
Crithmum maritimum, L. Samphire. 
Native. First found: Gosselin, 1788. 
Common all round the coast, on rocky cliff-sides, as well as 
sandy shores. 
Called in the patois Perchepierre, the local form of its French 
name Percepierre. Prior says the word Samphire is more correctly 
written Sampier or Sampire, as it was dedicated to, and takes its 
name from, the fisherman saint, St. Peter (Saint Pierre). Shake- 
speare mentions the plant in the well-known passage in A7ug Lear, 
iv. 6. When properly prepared, Samphire makes a most excellent 
pickle, as I can personally testify. 
Pastinaca sativa, L. Wild Parsnip. 
Native. First record: Babington, 1839. 
All over the island in arable land may be found strays from 
cultivation, the Parsnip being extensively grown in Guernsey as food 
for cattle; and the roots often attain an enormous size. ‘This form 
has glabrous leaves, which are shining on the upper side. The wild 
