USES OF WEEDS 195 



stalks, but as it requires 40 Ibs. of dried stalks to produce one 

 Ib. of sugar, the amount of labour required renders the process 

 too expensive. 1 The inhabitants of Kamtchatka make a 

 great delicacy from this plant by peeling the stalks, drying 

 them in the sun, and then laying them in the shade in bags 

 till a saccharine efflorescence is formed. This is' shaken off 

 and eaten and has a taste like liquorice. The Russians pre- 

 pare the stalks in the same manner and then distil an ardent 

 spirit by fermenting them in water with bilberries ( Vaccinium 

 uliginosuni). This spirit is said to be superior to that distilled 

 from corn. 4 



Linaria vulgaris (Toadflax). In Sussex the plant used to 

 be called gallwort and was put into the water drunk by poultry 

 in order to cure them when drooping. The flowers afford a 

 yellow dye, and in Sweden the plant is boiled in milk and used 

 to attract and destroy flies. 1 It has some medical value as a 

 purgative. 4 



Lithospermum arvense (Corn gromwell). The outer part 

 of the root is red and stains paper, linen, oily substances, and 

 the human skin. 3 A rustic substitute for rouge is obtained 

 from the roots, 1 which is used to give a brighter tint to their 

 cheeks on festive days by the girls in the north of Sweden. 

 It also provides a colouring matter for ointments, hence obtain- 

 ing the name " bastard-alkanet ". 



Nepeta glechoma (Ground-ivy). According to Wilson 

 ground-ivy or ale hoof was a chief ingredient in the manufacture 

 of ale by the ancient Saxons, and in his time was still occasion- 

 ally used by the poor for infusion in ale or beer, as a remedy 

 against internal disorders. 3 Other authorities state that it was 

 formerly used in the fermentation of beer and other liquors, 

 to cause the foam on the fermented drink. If the leaves are 

 thrown into the vat with ale they clarify it and give it a special 

 flavour. Ale-hoof was generally used for this purpose till the 

 reign of Henry VIII, when hops were substituted and soon 

 ousted the older plant from favour. 4 As late as 1889, and 

 possibly to the present day, ground-ivy was held in repute by 

 village herbalists, who dried it and used it as a substitute 

 for tea. 2 For obstinate coughs it is a favourite remedy with 

 the poor, but is not much valued by the medical profession. 5 



Orchis ntascula (Early orchis). The roots of this orchis 

 and some allied species are extensively used for the manu- 



1 Pratt, loc. cit. * Lindley and Moore, loc. tit. 'Wilson, loc. cit. 



* Hogg and Johnson, loc. cit. * Woodville, loc. cit. 



13* 



