16 



Viola Canina. Dog Violet. ^AtiA^f e ; t>iot) a teitero. 

 Viola Tricolor. Wild Pansy. go^mAn SeA^Ais ; Soifmin ; 



SaLcuac (?). 

 Viola Lutea. Mountain Pansy. J^ 01 ! 1 " 1 ' 11 SteiOe. 



The general rendering for Violet in Irish is SaLcuac ; 

 other terms are CogAt jofmi ; gofmiAn ; goipmin, nttil. 



The explanation of how this flower was named Sa1.cuac 

 is in doubt. Some suggest that the literal translation 

 is Cuckoo's Heel, or stocking. This leads us to the 

 extraordinary resemblance to a miniature bird which 

 can be contrived by removing the calyx and corolla 

 off the flower. The stigma then forms a head and 

 neck, the anthers a golden flecked breast with their 

 tongues protruding like green wings. 



Another interpretation is that the spur of the violet 

 resembles the old Irish drinking horn (Cuac). This 

 modest little flower is rarely used medicinally nowadays 

 It was formerly used as an ingredient in cancer cures, 

 and was in great repute for skin affections, especially 

 those of childhood. 



A laxative syrup was made from the whole herb and given 

 internally. 



FOLYGALACEAE. 



Polygala vulgaris. 1 Ui r A „ triune ; gunned ; TIa 



Milkwort (genus). }■ ■ ei r «fi<ii t HTii\ 



Polygala serpyllacea. J 



Was used by nursing women to increase the flow of milk. 



CARY0PHYLLACE2E. 



Saponaria Officinalis. Soapwort. tuf An cSiAbuinti ; gAfrtDAn 

 CfieA5.dc ; lur ticuA. 

 Saponin is the active principle of the herb and exists 



in all parts of the plant, root, leaves, and flowers. 

 The herb was used on the Continent for syphilis. The 

 chief use to which the herb was put in Ireland was the 

 treatment of inflammation of the lungs, hence the name 

 Luf Ucca, herb of the chest. It was the soap of mendi- 

 cants. 



