THE PRINCIPLES OF BOTANY. 
477 
It is proverbial that “ there is no acounting for taste ;” but 
we cannot help thinking that we have smelt some fungi like 
this iris, and fungi in the cooked state are, some of them, 
not unlike cooked meat. 
The genus crocus, though represented in Britain, according 
to the Floras, by as many as four different species, is probably 
only a naturalised plant. Bentham says it is “ a small South 
European and West Asiatic genus, a few species extending 
into Central Europe ; and several, long since cultivated for 
ornament, or for saffron collected from their stigmas, have 
established themselves in a few localities further north.” 
( f Handbook of the British Flora/ pp. 517 — 18.) 
Saffron gives a name to a parish; thus, Saffron Walden in 
Essex is said to be the place where the plant was cultivated 
as early as Edward III, when it was introduced to Walden, 
which got the prefix of Saffron thereafter. 
Saffron was formerly highly esteemed for many purposes, 
probably partly on account of its being an expensive product, 
for, consisting wholly of the stigmas of a small flower, it must 
always have been costly. 
Saffron is still employed in the pharmacopoeia, and forms 
part of the compound known as “ aromatic confection,” a 
preparation which, with rhubarb and laudanum, we have this 
year found to be of great service in checking that often fatal 
complaint, diarrhoea in lambs. 
Saffron was formerly extensively used to colour Easter 
cakes.. Mrs. Lancaster tells us that, “ during Lent saffron 
was at one time largely used in cookery, it is said for the 
purpose of keeping up the c animal spirits/ which long-con- 
tinued fasting considerably affected. Probably, on the doc- 
trine of signatures, it was so used on account of the sallow- 
ness of skin occasioned by too much abstinence ; and it was 
doubtless for this reason that saffron was once a favorite 
remedy for yellow jaundice and skin diseases in general, and 
for which it was once used in the “ yellows” of cattle. But, 
alas ! alas ! in these faithless days — days, too, of inquiry and 
sophistication — turmeric does the duty of saffron in the hot 
cross bun. Saffron has also long been a favorite remedy with 
the rustic in drinks for “yollors,” as (e ruddle” is for red water. 
There is, however, no doubt but that saffron is an agreeable 
stimulant; but in these days of reasoning , its colour has not 
the reassuring character it once had. 
The crocus was dedicated to St. Valentine, probably in 
allusion to the golden hues with which a lover invests every- 
thing around. 
XLIV. 
34 
