HERBS CfflEFLY USED IN THE PAST 89 



not to be accepted unto meats as Parsley," yet it has 

 "many good properties both for inward and outward 

 diseases." 



Stonecrop (Sedum). ■ 



Stone-crop, Stone-hot, Prick-Madam or Trick-Madam 

 is a Sedum, but which Sedum the old Herbalists called by 

 these names is not absolutely clear, it was probably 

 Sedum Telephium or Sedum Album. Evelyn speaks of 

 " Tripe-Madam, Vermkularts Insipida" which seems to 

 point to the latter, as that used to be called 

 Worm-grass. He says Tripe-madam is "cooling and 

 moist," but there is another Stone-crop of as pernicious 

 qualities as the former are laudable, Wall-pepper, Sedum 

 Minus Causticum (most likely our Sedum Acre). This is 

 called by the French, Tricque-Madame, and he cautions 

 the " Sallet-Composer, if he be not botanist suiBciently 

 skilful" to distinguish them by the eye, to "consult 

 his palate," and taste them before adding them to the 

 other ingredients. 



Sweet Cicely {Myrrhis odorata). 



Sweet Cicely or Sweet Chervil was apparently less 

 of a favourite than its romantic name would seem to 

 warrant, for I can find no traditions concerning it. 

 " Chervil " (of which this is a variety) says Gerarde, " is 

 thought to be so called because it delighteth to grow 

 with many leaves, or rather that it causeth joy and 

 gladness." There does not seem much connection 

 between these two interpretations. He continues that 

 " the name Myrrhus is also called Myrrha, taken from his 

 pleasant flavour of Myrrh." Sweet Cicely has a very 

 pleasant flavour, with this peculiarity, that the leaves 

 taste exactly as if sugar had just been powdered over 

 them, but personally I have never been able to recognise 



