180 DICTIONARY OF POPULAR NAMES FORBIDDEN 



fluid ounces ; effects were carefully looked for, but tliere were 

 absolutely none in either case after any one of the doses." In 

 conclusion, he says that "the JEtliv.sa Cynapium of Sussex, 

 Kent, Surrey, and Herefordshire is not only absolutely free 

 from the noxious properties attributed to it, but that it is 

 pleasant to sight, smell, and taste, and in the absence of more 

 fragrant and succulent plants, might well be used as a pot-herb 

 and salad." He has analysed all the recorded cases of the dele- 

 terious effects of this plant, and in almost every case it is clear 

 that j^thusa was not the poison, and that in some cases the 

 hemlock Coniiim maculatum was the offender, the leaves of 

 which in their young state have been mistaken for parsley. 

 Forbidden Fruit. {See Shaddock.) 

 Forest Oak. {See She Oak.) 



Foxglove {Digitalis purpiirea), a plant of the Fig wort 

 family (Scrophulariacese), one of our most showy native plants, 

 generally found growing on margins and open parts of woods, 

 and conspicuous by its tall spike of pink flowers ; there is also 

 a variety with wliite flowers. From its leaves is obtained a 

 most important medicine, known as Digitalis, but it requires 

 much caution in its use, for if unduly administered it suspends 

 the action of the heart, causing sudden death. 



Frangipanni — in English, Breadbreaking — said to derive its 

 name from an ancient family of Eome, who held the office of 

 breaking the bread in the Holy Sacrament, A descendant of this 

 family first invented a method of perfuming gloves, but what the 

 perfume consisted of is not now known. Frangipanni is still the 

 name of a perfume known in commerce. In the West Indies 

 Plumerict rubra and alba, shrubs of the Dogbane family (Apocy- 

 nacese), are called Frangipanni on account of their deliciously- 

 scented flowers ; they are soft- wooded shrubs or small trees, and 

 contain a milky sap. 



Frankincense. — Much uncertainty prevails as to the plant, 

 herb, or tree, that yields the fragrant substance first spoken of in 

 Exodus under the name of Frankincense. At the time it was 

 first mentioned the Israelites had not been more than a year out 



