68 WILD FLOWERS. 



mends it to the attention of tlie faculty. The 

 leaves and berries partake of the narcotic prin- 

 ciple of opium, and the juice of the berry is 

 applied to remove pain in the eye. As a flower, 

 the herb Paris is rather singular than beautiful, 

 but we admire it as an instance of the wonder- 

 ful variety wdiich exists in " the flowers of the 

 field." 



The common bugle (Ajuffa reptans) is ano- 

 ther flower generally found in the woods in May. 

 A hardy plant it is, its purple blossoms some- 

 times venturing forth in January, though less 

 vigorously than at their proper season. It also 

 grows on moist hedgebanks, and varies with a 

 pale lilac, or even white blossom, the shape of 

 which is much like that of the ground ivy. It 

 was formerly called sicklewort, or carpenter's 

 herb ; for, in former times, when the labourer 

 was cut by the sickle, or other sharp instrument, 

 some plant which grew near him was employe(f 

 to cure the wound, and this was found verj" 

 serviceable, and is still a common remedy. A 

 proverb was very common in France concerning 

 this and another wood plant, " He needeth 

 neither physician nor surgeon who hath bugle 

 and saniclc." This latter flower, however, is 

 known to be a positively injurious application, 

 especially if it grow in a moist place, which, 

 indeed, is the situation in wliich it flourishes 

 most. 



The white flowers of the holly are now in full 

 beauty, and the spindle tree (Euonynms Euro- 

 pceu^) is covered with its small green blossom. 



