PEIMBOSE OXLIP. 233 



pleasant liquor, and very useful in infantine disorders. Mixe'd 

 with the same quantity of water it was a great solace to us 

 during the measles, moistening the parched throat and inducing 

 sleep. In the neighbourhood of Bipon there are old women 

 who make it their profession for the season to collect Cowslips, 

 pick off the corolla, and offer the article for sale. The price 

 for the corollas, or, in technical language, " the pips," is Is. 6d. 

 per peck. As the French call the Cowslip "Herba de la 

 paralysie," I suppose it must have been used as a medicine for 

 that disease ; but from its sedative quality I should imagine it 

 more likely to induce than to cure paralysis. This flower is a 

 great favourite with the poets. Shakspeare makes the fairy 

 sing : 



" The Cowslips tall her pensioners be, 

 In their gold coat specks you see ; 

 Those be rubies, fairy-favours, 

 In those freckles live their favours : 

 I must go seek some dewdrops here and there, 

 And hang a pearl in every Cowslip's ear." 



And Milton speaks of 



"The flowery May, who from her queen lap throws 

 The yellow Cowslip and the pale Primrose." 



And Clare honours them with an address : 



" Bowing adorers of the gale, 

 Ye Cowslips, delicately pale, 



Upraise your loaded stems ; 

 Unfold your cups in splendour. Speak ! 

 Who decked you with that ruddy streak, 

 Rilt your golden gems?'' 



he Oxljp. (P. elatior), resembles the Cowslip in form and 

 the Primrose in colour. The flowers grow in a cluster, and 

 are much larger than those of the Cowslip. It is compara- 

 tively a rare plant, frequenting bushy places. We used to 

 find Oxlip plants in woods about Clotherholme and Studley, 

 in the Eipon neighbourhood, and in similar situations about 

 Richmond ; but we always procured them at the expense of 

 a torn sleeve or wounded hand, on account of the brushwood 

 amongst which they grow 



