116 FAMILIAR WILD FLOWERS. 



Lyte and some other authors give it 

 as Saintfoin, Hudson as St. Foin, and this was rendered 

 by other old writers as holy hay; but the whole thing is a 

 misconception, that when once started was in harmony with 

 mediaeval feeling and usage, and so got readily taken up, 

 though there is no real reason for associating any saintly 

 influences with the plant. Ouolryclus is from two Greek 

 words signifying the ass and to bray, the idea, of course, 

 being that the animal thus testifies his impatience to 

 partake of so agreeable a provender. Some of the older 

 botanical writers give the sainfoin the sonorous title of 

 Hed//sarum Onobrychis. The first of these names is from 

 the Greek words for sweet and spice, while the second 

 we have already explained, the grand total signifying 

 that toothsome, sweet, and spicy herb that appeals so 

 strongly to the asinine palate, that the donkey cannot 

 refrain from expressing his feelings and desires, when 

 opportunity offers for their gratification. 



