THE TANSY. 



Tanaeetmn vulgare. 



5VI0US etymologies^ as we 

 observed while discussing 

 the origin of the name 

 " snowdrop/' are, indeed, 

 sometimes right, but they 

 are wrong often enough to 

 prove the folly of any 

 general declaration. How 

 very Teutonic does the 

 word " tansy " appear to 

 the casual eye, and how 

 very far from the tongue 

 of the Teuton is its begin- 

 ning in the verbal world ! 

 Although a bitter plant, it 

 bears no relation by name 

 to the process of tanning, 

 but represents in reality 

 the Athanasia of Olympus. Thus we must make a lofty 

 flight to settle the etymology of this cottage garden herb, 

 that to-day gives flavour (and a very unpleasant flavour) 

 to a pudding, and to-morrow is employed to make a 

 nauseous draught which ranks in fame with salts and 

 senna as an agony incidental to the spring-time of our 



