BUGLE 221 



Robin-run-the-hedge, Rob-run-up-dyke, Run-away-Jack, Runnidyke 

 Tudnoose, Tunhog. 



Alehoof means that which will cause ale to heave or work. " The 

 women of our northern parts", says Gerarde, "do turn the herb ale 

 hovoc into their ale." Gill-ale is a beverage made from this plant. 

 "The leaves were formerly thrown into the vat with ale to clarify it 

 and to give it a flavour. This was called Gill-ale, Ground Ivy being 

 named Gill or Gill-crept-by-the-ground in some places." The French 

 quiller means to ferment beer. With Rue it was supposed to confer 

 fine vision. Ground Ivy was also supposed to be associated with the 

 evil one, and called " Devil's Candlesticks ". 



The leaves are bitter and aromatic, hence their use in ale. They 

 have a strong, peculiar smell. This plant was considered a corroborant, 

 aperient, and detergent, and was used for laxity, debility, for ulcers, 

 the lungs, and the blood. Drawn up the nostrils, juice from an infusion 

 was used for headache. The white specks in horses' eyes were said to 

 be cured by this added to groundsel and plantain. 



ESSENTIAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERS: 



253. Nepeta hederacea, Trev. Stem procumbent, creeping, leaves 

 cordate, crenate, flowers blue, in axillary whorls, secund, 3-4, calyx- 

 teeth awned. 



Bugle (Ajuga reptans, L.) 



As a marsh plant to a great extent Bugle occurs as we should 

 expect in Interglacial, Late Glacial, and Neolithic deposits. It is found 

 to-day throughout Europe generally. In Great Britain Bugle grows 

 in every county except Peebles, ranging as far north as the Shetlands, 

 and up to 2000 ft. in the Highlands. It is found also in Ireland and 

 the Channel Islands. 



This plant is one of the numerous species which gravitate between 

 a station in the open meadows, the woods, the wayside, or the hedge- 

 row. But in each case the habitat is moist and damp, and usually in 

 the shade. In the ride of a wood, where Self-heal also grows luxuri- 

 antly, it is especially fine, as well as along the secluded banks of a 

 stream. 



The stem is erect, with creeping, lateral stolons, or underground 

 shoots (hence the second Latin name), smooth or roughly hairy, or 

 roughly hairy on alternate faces, smooth on others, and purplish. The 

 leaves are opposite, inversely egg-shaped, narrowed below, the radical 

 leaves on long stalks, blunt, the upper stem -leaves stalkless, oblong, 

 and those on the stolons spoon-shaped. They are smooth and shining, 



