ii6 



Martin adds, "the chief remedies were ' cliarms ' for the cure of 

 their diseases." 



Page 51. 

 Verbena officinalis — Trombhod. Borlase, in his ' Antiquities 

 of Cornwall,' speaking of the Druids, says: "They were exces- 

 sively fond of the vervain ; they used it in casting lots and 

 foretelling events. It was gathered at the rising of the dog- 

 star." 



Page 68. 

 Corylus avellana — Càlltuiìin. Co/, cà/, in Welsh, signifies 

 loss, also hazel-wood. The Welsh have a custom of presenting 

 a forsaken lover with a stick of hazel, probably in allusion to the 

 double meaning of the word. 



Page 78. 

 Allium porrum — " Biigha.''' The explanation given by Shaw 

 that this was a name for leek seemed improbable, especially as it 

 was a favourite comparison to the eye " when it is blue or dark." 

 Turning to a passage describing Cormac Mac Airt, I found — 



" Cosmail ri bugha a shiiili," 

 which Professor O' Curry renders — 



" liis eyes were like s/iu's," — 

 a far more appropriate comparison. Narcissus, Lus a ciiromchinn 

 (the bent head), suggests the beautiful lines of Herrick — 



" When a daftbdill I see 

 Hanging its head t' wards me, 

 Guesse I may what I must be : 

 First, I shall decline my head ; 

 Secondly, I shall be dead ; 

 Lastly, safely burried." 



Page 79. 

 A. ursinum — Creanih. 



" 'Is leigheas air gacli tinn 

 Creamh 'us im a' Mhaigh." 

 Garlic and May butter 

 Are remedies for every illness. 



" Its medicinal virtues were well known ; but like many other 

 plants once valued and used by our ancestors, it is now quite 

 superseded by pills and doses prepared by licensed practi- 

 tioners." — Sheriff Nicoi.son. 



