1 68 THE BOOK OF HERBS 



copoeia, and both the fruits and leaves of Hemlock 

 have also a place there. Foxglove, called in Devon- 

 shire, Cowflop, is recommended as an application to 

 heal sores, and one woman told me that it should 

 always be gathered on the north side of the hedge. 

 It is interesting to note that the Italians have a pro- 

 verb, " Aralda, tutte piaghe salda" (Foxglove heals 

 all sores). Gliders (Goose-grass, Galium aparine) was 

 much given for tumours and cancers, and is praised 

 by other than merely village sages. Dr Fernie quotes 

 the testimony of several doctors who used it with 

 success, and adds, " some of our trading druggists now 

 furnish curative preparations made from the fresh herb." 



No ear hath heard, no tongue can tell, 

 The virtues of the pimpernel. 



This most popular plant, amongst other uses, is put into 

 poultices. Bacon mentions it as a weather prophet. 

 " There is a small red flower in the stubble-fields, which 

 country people call the wincopipe, which if it open in 

 the morning, you may be sure of a fine day to follow." ^ 

 The virtues of Betony are set forth by the " PoorPhyto- 

 logist," and he is quite right in saying that it was once 

 esteemed a most sovereign remedy for all troubles 

 connected with the brain. It was, in fact, so far 

 extolled that an adage was once current : — 



*' Sell your coat and buy betony." 



In Italy there are two modern sayings, one a pious aspira- 

 tion, " May you have more virtues than Betony " ; and 

 the other an allusion, " Known as well as Betony." 

 Though the reputation of this plant has quite withered, 

 that of horehound is in a more flourishing state, and 

 it is still, I believe, considered of real use for coughs. 

 Violet leaves are now becoming a fashionable remedy 



> "Natural History.'' Cent. IX. 



