DAIRY MAID'S DOCK 



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riimicis. Three beetles, Gastriodes viridula, G. polygoni, Mantnra 

 rustica; two Hymenoptera, Prosopis cornuta and P. dilatata; and 

 several Lepidoptera, Large Red-belted Clearwing (Sesia chrysidi- 

 ormis), Chrysophanus chryseis, Clouded-bordered Brinclle (Xylophasia 

 rurea), Bird's-wing (Dipterygia pinastri}, The Uncertain (Caradrinu 

 alsines), Pearly Underwing (Agrotis saucia\ Stout Dart (A. rai'ida\ 

 Wood Swift (Hepialus sylvinus], Bloodvein (Timandra amataria}, 

 Purple - barred Yellow 

 (Lytkria pnrpurarid], 

 &c., are found upon it. 



The second Latin name 

 refers to the shape (ob- 

 tuse) of the leaves. It 

 is called Batter Dock, 

 Butter Dock, Celery-seed, 

 Cushy - cows, Docken, 

 Kettle Dock, Red Shank, 

 Smair Dock. As to the 

 name Docken: "When a 

 boy gets stung by a nettle 

 he searches for a dock- 

 leaf, and rubs it on the 

 wounded part, repeating 

 the charm, Docken dock- 

 an in, nettle nettle out ". 

 This is the explanation of 

 Cushy-cows or Curly Cows: 

 " Children call the seeded 

 plant Cushy Cows, and 

 they milk it by drawing the 

 stalk through the fingers". 



In Wilts, when exorcising the nettle sting with a dock leaf, children 



repeat : 



" Out ettle 

 In dock, 



Dock shall ha a new smock ; 

 Ettle zhout 

 Ha nannu ". 



An old remedy for boils was Dock tea. This plant is laxative. 

 The roots powdered are used for cleaning the teeth. The leaves have 

 been used for wrapping round butter and cream cheese. 



DAIRY MAID'S DOCK (Rumex obtusifoliut, L.) 



