212 SHAMROCK. [July, 



Also Mr. Ferguson affirms, that this is satisfactorily esta- 

 blished by a remark in Mr. Fynis Moryson's ' History of the Civil 

 Wars in Ireland between 1597 and 1603/ where it is written 

 that " the natives willingly eat the herb Shamrock, being of a 

 sharp taste." The ingenious historian gives the names of many 

 other esculents and viands on which the Irish at that period 

 fared ; and from his account it may be inferred that they Mere 

 not delicate eaters. 



It may however be a fair inference, that as this herb, viz. the 

 Wood Sorrel, yields only a scanty herbage, they had but short 

 commons. It is possible, however, as Mr. W. — another writer 

 on this obscure subject — remarks, that the herb they (the Irish) 

 ate was Cress of some kind or other, either water or land Cress. 

 The latter has, however, started a new idea, viz. that the Sham- 

 rock may be Oxalis corniculata — a hypothesis which surely no 

 reasonable man would deny, any more than he would doubt that 

 there are possibly a hundred plants in Ireland which would do 

 as well to represent the Shamrock as either of the two popular 

 favourites. 



If it be worth while to discuss the subject a little further, it 

 may be remarked — not in hostility to Mr. Ferguson's view — 

 that Oxalis Acetosella does not grow in ditches, nor much by road- 

 sides. Its habitat is the wood on old roots, or on bushy banks. 

 Watercresses grow in ditches, and they are to this day both 

 eaten and sold by Erin's rosy-cheeked maidens, who hawk them 

 about the streets of this great town ; and their shrill cries are 

 very annoying to those who have musical, or sensitive^ auditorial 

 organs, and to those who indulge in contemplative moods, like 

 Mr. Babbage. 



withal, that in a short space there were none left, and a most populous plentiful 

 country left void of man and beast : there perished not many by the sword, but all 

 by extremity of famine." 



From the Irish ' Hudibras,' the following lines are taken : — 



" Shamrogs and Water Grrass he shows, 



Which was both meat and drink and close " (clothes). 

 " Tfees, when the Shamrog he did spye, 



Cries out, ' I have it in my eye.' " 

 Again, — 



" Within a wood near to this place 



There grows a bunch of three-leaved Grass 



Called by the boglanders Sham Rogues, 



A present for the Queen of Shoges" (fiiiries). 



