174 THE BOOK OF HERBS 



Juniper ; Rhus, Sumach ; Aletris, Star-Grass ; Lycopo- 

 dium, Club-Moss; Grindelia; from Larkspur, Oil of 

 Stavesacre ; and from Broom, Spartein. 



There are two plants that I do not like to omit, for 

 their history's sake, though their power to do good is 

 no longer believed in, Plantain and Lungwort. The 

 first was considered good for wounds in the days of 

 Chaucer, and Shakespeare mentions it. 



Someo. Your plantain leaf is excellent for that. 

 Benvolio. For -what, I pray thee? 

 Romn. For your broken shin. 



Kameo and Juliet, 1. 2, 51. 



Lungwort {Pulmonaria officinalis) owes its name and 

 its reputation to the white spots on the leaves, which 

 were thought to be the " signature," showing that it 

 would cure infirmities and ulcers of the lungs. It is 

 remarkable how many popular names this flower has. 

 Gerarde tells us that the leaves are used among pot- 

 herbes, and calls it Cowslips of Jerusalem, Wild Com- 

 frey and Sage of Bethlem ; and other country names are. 

 Beggar's Basket, Soldiers and Sailors, Adam and Eve, 

 and in Dorset, Mary's Tears. The name Adam and 

 Eve arose from the fact that some of the flowers are 

 red and others blue : red, in earlier days, being usually 

 associated with men and blue with women. One of 

 Drayton's prettiest verses alludes to it. 



" Maids, get the choicest flowers, a garland and entwine ; ' 



Nor pink, nor pansies, let there want, be sure of eglantine. 

 See that there be store of lilies, 

 (Call'd of shepherds daffadillies) 



With roses, damask, white, and red, the dearest fleur-de-lis. 

 The cowslip of Jerusalem , and clove of Paradise." 



Eclogue III, 



