382 



NATURE-STUDY REVIEW [12:9— Dec, 1916 



Lavender 



lavendula, to wash. Small sprigs of tfee plant were used to 

 scent freshly laundered clothes. The flowers are purplish blue 

 and these seem more fragrant than the 

 rest of the plant: Once only does 

 Shakespeare mention it. 

 "Here's flowers for you; 

 Hot lavender, mints, savory, marjoram." 

 The Winter's Tale— IV— 4— 104. 



Sweet marjoram now appropriate y 

 follows. Truly this was a valuable herb 

 which the mistress laid away. It was a 

 remedy for colds in the head. Placid 

 to the nostrils it provoked sneezing 

 and, perhaps thus the cold in the head 

 was relieved. It also cured the tooth- 

 ache, if the sufferer chewed it well. The 

 leaves dried and mingled with honey formed 

 a sort of plaster which was placed on bruises, 

 and the clotted blood was quickly dissolved. 

 Saffron. The plant (Croens sabivas) was 

 frequently cultivated in England in Shakes- 

 peare time. .It is not known when first 

 introduced. It yielded a yellow dye which 

 was used often in the dairy and kitchen ; but 

 also in the preparation of an ink or sort of 



paint of deep yellow hue used by those illu- 

 minating parchments, books, etc. Some 

 authors state that a native plant Colchicum 

 autumnale. The word saffron is derived 

 from the Arabic ; the plant might have been 

 brought to England during the Roman period. 

 It was believed to possess certain medicinal 

 properties, — it was somewhat of a stimulant 

 as it was said to make the senses quick, and 

 to cause a man to shake off drowsiness 

 and become merry. Shakespeare mentions it 

 only as a color: 



Sweet Marjoram 



Saffron 



"Who with thy saffron wings upon my flowers, 

 Diffuseth honey-drops, refreshing showers." 



Tempest IV— 1—78. 



