212 POLYGONUM BISTORTA 



whicli was formerly cultivated in this country, and eaten as a 

 pot-herb. But since the time of Gerarde, the young shoots and 

 leaves of Bistort have been used in the North of England as a 

 pot-herb under the name of Passions ; which name is probably 

 derived from the plant being in perfection for such a purpose 

 about Easter. Miller also says, " The young shoots are eaten in 

 herb puddings in the North of England, where the plant is known 

 by the name of Easter Giant." 



Per. Mat. Med., vol. ii, pt. 1, p. 503; Gerarde's Herball, by 

 Johnson, 1636, p. 399; Steph. and Church., Med. Bot., by 

 Burnett, vol. i, pi. 48; Lewis, Mat. Med., p. 154; Cullen's 

 Mat. Med., vol. ii, p. 40; Miller's Gard. Diet., by Martyn 

 (1807), vol. 2, pt. 1. 



DESCRIPTION OP PLATE. 



Drawn from a plant grown in Kew Gardens. 



1, 2, 3. The whole flowering stem and root-stock. 



4. Diagram of flower. 



5. A flower. 



6. Vertical section of the same. 



7. A fruit. 



8. Vertical, and 9. Transverse section of the same. 



(59 enlarged.) 



