BURNET. 89 



left to conjecture ; the oblong spike of 

 its flowers forms, in some degree, a miniature 

 resemblance of the bur of the dock ; and from 

 thence it may probably have been derived. 



The common burnet, Poteriwn Sanguisorba, 

 is an indigenous perennial plant of England, 

 and is found growing on chalky lands and 

 heathy commons. We find it was cultivated 

 in our gardens as long back as we can trace 

 any other herb or vegetable with certainty. 

 Gerard says, " it is pleasant to be eaten in 

 sallads, in which it is thought to make the 

 heart merry and glad, as also being put into 

 wine, to which it yeeldeth a certaine grace in 

 the drinking." 



Our forefathers seem to have been as 

 anxious to have herbs added to their wine, 

 as the present generation are desirous to 

 obtain it pure. 



Coles says, (in 1657,) " Burnet is a friend 

 to the heart, liver, and other principall parts 

 of a man's body : two or three of the stalks 

 with leaves put into a cup of wine, espe- 

 cially French wine, as all know, give a won- 

 derful fine relish to it, and besides is a great 

 means to quicken the spirits, refresh the 

 heart, and make it merry, driving away 

 melancholy.' ' 



