166 FOLK-LORE. 
The following treatment of epilepsy we commend to the 
medical profession. When other supposed remedies had failed, 
a travelling packman was consulted. He suggested two methods 
of cure, both of which were faithfully tried. The first was, that 
the afflicted person should procure a Jay ; every morning, fast- 
ing, she was to chew a piece of bread, and then give it the bird 
to eat; on the death of the poor creature, the fits would cease. 
To make assurance doubly sure, another remedy was added, viz., 
a silver ring, to be worn on the ring-finger as an ‘ amberlet” 
(amulet ?), to be subscribed for and presented to the patient with- 
out her previous knowledge! The point of the joke lies in the 
fact that this mode of treatment was announced by the invalid her- 
self. We regret that we are unable to state whether a cure was 
effected. 
Among our wild flowers, we find that the name ‘Cuckoo’s 
Victuals” is applied both to the Wood-sorrel ( Oxalis Acetosella) and 
the Herb Robert (Geranium Robertianum). 'The former can trace 
its claim to the name back to the days of Gerarde, who speaks of it 
as ‘ Cuckowes meate, because either the Cuckow feedeth thereon, 
or by reason (that) when it springeth forth and floureth the 
Cuckow singeth most ;”’ both of these reasons would, however, 
apply equally well to the Herb Robert. The latter is, indeed, a 
favourite with our villagers, who also call it ‘“ Cuckoo’s Eye,” 
‘Billy Buttons,’”’ and ‘‘ Ragged Robin.”” The second of these is 
applied to the Red Campion (Zychnis diurna), in districts where 
that plant is plentiful: the third is undoubtedly the property of 
L. Flos-cuculi, being admirably descriptive of its jagged, irregular 
flowers. ‘‘ Cuckoo’s Hye,’’ “‘ Bird’s Eye,” and ‘‘ Cat’s Eye,” are 
names given to the lovely Germander Speedwell ( Veronica Chame- 
drys); and they certainly are by no means inappropriate to the 
bright blue flowers of the prettiest, though, perhaps, com- 
monest, of our Speedwells. At Buckingham, the Marsh Mari- 
gold (Caltha palustris) is known by the singular name of ‘ John- 
Georges; ” why, we cannot even conjecture: The name “ Devil 
o’ both sides,” applied to the Corn Crowfoot (Ranunculus arvensis), 
although inelegant, is at least appropriate, when we consider 
