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PLANT-NAMES IN USE AT WEST AYTON, YORK N.E. 
Rev... WiC. HEY,-M.-A., 
West Ayton, York. 
SOME months ago I sent a few notes to ‘The Naturalist’ on the 
bird-names in use at West Ayton, and they elicited several very 
interesting communications from observers in other parts of the 
country. I now contribute some notes on the plant-names in 
use at the same village. 
To begin with the trees, the Ash is called ‘Esh,’ the Alder 
‘Eller,’ and the Oak ‘ Yak.’ There is, however, in Forge Valley 
a very conspicuous ancient Alder which is widely known as 
‘Jack o’ Lamb’s Plane.’ It is handed down to posterity that 
this tree grew from the walking stick of the above-named 
individual, and it must be admitted that the perfect straightness 
of its trunk distinguishes it in the most marked manner from 
every other Alder in the neighbourhood. Perhaps some 
etymologist can say whether the name Ayton means Oaktown. 
I Suppose that such is no doubt the derivation of Aysgarth. 
Elder is called ‘Bottery.’ You seldom hear the word used 
alone. The people speak of a ‘Bottery-bush’ or a ‘ Bottery- 
bedf.’ Is the word a corruption of Bower-tree, because the tree 
was often used to form arbours? The Mountain Ash is called 
* Witch-wood,’ and its value as an antidote to witchcraft is still 
well remembered, if no longer put to actual test. aske 
a village lad the other day if he could tell me anything about 
witches. He replied, ‘You want to get Witch-wood, and put 
salt on the lintels of the windows.’ Then he added in a very 
diffident tone, ‘ But there aren’t such things, are there ? 
Very few flowering plants have obtained local names. Wood 
Anemones, which carpet the valleys here in spring, are called 
‘Gammy Nightcaps.’ The Ragw ort (Seneczo Jacobea) goes by 
r 
rapidly eradicate i m flexuosum is called ‘ Yennuts’ 
(Earth-nuts) he children dig up the bulbous root and eat it. 
All the tall white Um re are dubbed ‘ Humlocks,’ and 
regarded with aversion. A//ium ursinum is called ‘ Rams. 
Pastures near woods are not liked for cows, as this herb is said 
to spoil the milk. Wild Cabbage is called ‘ Brassics,’ which can 
hardly be a very old name. Wild Plums are ‘ Bullaces.’ A well- 
polished boot or fire-grate is said to be ‘As breet as a Bullace.’ 
April 1899. 
