HERBS CHIEFLY USED IN THE PAST 51 



they are not good for the eyesight ' ; whence they had 

 those words I know not, it may be of some doctor that 

 never went to school." Culpepper mentions that wild 

 blites " the fishes are delighted with, and it is a good and 

 usual bait, for fishes will bite fast enough at them if 

 you have but wit enough to catch when they bite." 

 Altogether this insipid vegetable gives scope for a good 

 many sharp things to be said. 



Blitum capitatum, usually known as strawberry-spinach, 

 is sometimes grown in flower gardens. 



Bloodwort {JL,apathum Sanguineuni). 



The modern Latin name for this dock is Rumex San- 

 guineus, but Gesner had a more imposing title. Sanguis 

 draconis herba (Dragon's blood plant). These names are, 

 of course, derived from the crimson colour of its veins, 

 and are the finest thing about it. The little notice it 

 does get is not unmixed praise. "Among the sorts of 

 pot-herbes, Blood-worte hath always been accounted a 

 principall one, although I doe not see any great reason 

 therein." This is Parkinson's opinion, but the italics are 

 mine. 



Buck's-horne {Senebiera Coronopus). 



As true as steel, 



As Plantage to the moon. 



Trailus and Cress'ida^ iii. z. 



And plantain ribb'd that heals the reaper's wound, 

 And marg'ram sweet, in shepherds' posies found. 



The School-Mistress. — ShensTONE. 



Buck's-horne is distinct from Buckshorn Plantain 

 {Plantago Coronopus'), but it is the latter which is chiefly 

 interesting, and which is meant here. In Evelyn's day 

 the Latin name was Cornu Cer-uinum, and other names are 

 Herba Stella, Herb Ivy and Corne de Cerf. Some kinds 



