112 FLOKA DOMESTICA, 



CROCUS. 



IRIDE^E. TRIANDRIA MONOGYNIA. 



An unhappy lover, whom the gods in pity were said to have changed 

 into this flower. French, safran. Italian, zafFerano ; gruogo. 



THE Autumnal Crocus is supposed to have come ori- 

 ginally from the East, but is now so common in Europe, 

 that it is difficult to ascertain with certainty its original 

 birth-place. The flowers are of a purple, lilac, or pale 

 blue colour, blowing in October : the leaves grow all the 

 winter. This species of Crocus is also called Saffron, and 

 the medicine so called is obtained from it. Saffron was 

 formerly more esteemed as a medicine than at present ; 

 but it is still used occasionally : it is often substituted for 

 eggs in cakes, puddings, See. and to some persons its 

 flavour is very agreeable. A bag of saffron worn at the 

 pit of the stomach has been lately said to be an effectual 

 preventive of sea-sickness. 



The first introduction of this plant into the country 

 was considered so great a national benefit, as to have oc- 

 casioned much controversy upon the subject. It is com- 

 monly said that Sir Thomas Smith was the first who 

 brought it to England, in the reign of Edward the Third, 

 and that it was first planted at Walden in Essex. That 

 Walden was noted for the cultivation of it is clear, since 

 the flower has even bestowed its own name upon that 

 place, which is commonly called Saffron Walden. In 

 Hakluyt's Voyages (edit. 1599, vol. ii. p. 165) the first 

 introduction of Saffron is ascribed to a pilgrim, who, with 

 the intention of serving his country, stole a head of Saf- 

 fron, which he hid in his staff: but this is mentioned only 



