ENGLISH PLANT NAMES. 27 
may be wel called in Latine, Genista humilis ; in Italian, Cerretta, 
that is, lowe and base Broome,’ and this is the simpler derivation. 
Base Rocket. Reseda lutea, L. — So called, according to Prior (p. 
15), ‘ from its rocket-like leaves, and its being used a^, i lase in dyeing 
woollen cloths.’ But it is not this species, but R. Luteola, L., which 
was employed by dyers (see Dyer’s-weed), and the name was first 
, bestowed by Parkinson (Theatr. 823), because ‘ being referred to the 
rochets they are base and wilde herbes, but clammer not.’ Wr. 
erroneously applies the name to ‘ the burdock.’ 
Base Vervain. Veronica ChamcednjSy L. — Lyte. 
Basier. See Baziers. 
Basil. Ocymum hasilicum, L. Gr. paaiXiKov, royal, from its being 
used in some royal unguent, bath, or medicine. — Prior, p. 16 ; or 
‘ because the smell thereof being so excellent, is fit for a king’s house.’ 
— Park. Theatr., p. 20. 
Basil, Cow. Saponaria Vaccaria, L. — Ger. ‘ Sic dicta quia vaccae 
ejus esu delectantur, et a similitudine Ocymi.’ — Skinner. But it does 
not all resemble an Ocymum. 
Basil, Red Cow. Centranthus ruber , DC. — Ger. 
Basil, Field, Stone, or Wild. Book-names for Calamintlia Clinopo- 
diumy Benth., and C. Aci?ios, Clairv. 
Basil-balm. A name given by Baxter to Calamintlia Acinos, Clairv. 
Basil Thyme. A modern book-name for Calamintlia Acinos, Clairv. 
Basilweed. A name given by Baxter to Calamintha CUnopodium, 
Benth. 
Basket-fern. Nephrodium Filix-mas, Rich. — Corn. ; Hants. From 
the hollow basket-like form in which the fronds grow up. 
Bass. (1) Scirpuslacustris,lj. — Cumh. ‘ According to Kennett, the 
term is also applied to “a collar for cart-horses made of flags in 
Cumberland the word is applied generally to dried rushes.’ — Hal. Wr. 
(2) A species of lime is so called in N. Line. ; the wood is known 
as Bass-wood. It is probably T. parvifoUa, L. See Bast. Young 
(Agric. Survey of Line.) says: ‘The woods in the south part of this 
county produce oak, ash, and poplar, about one-third of each, and 
scarce any other sort is to be met with therein, except a tree (the real 
name of which I could never learn) called by the woodmen Pill-Bass. 
It seems to be of the poplar class, but a distinct species.’ This is 
probably also a lime. See E. D. S., C. 6. In N. America T. ameri- 
cana is commonly called Bass-wood ; ‘ the name (now obsolete in 
England) alluding to the use of the inner bark for mats and cordage.’ 
— Asa Gray (Man. Bot. N. United States). The Bass or Bast employed 
by gardeners is also obtained from the inner bark and leaf-stalks of 
various other trees. See Treas. Bot. 
Bassam. ‘ Heath.’ — Dev. ; Hal. Wr. 
Bassinet (in Skinner, Basinet). ‘ Fr. bassinet, a small basin, a skull- 
cap, from the shape of the flower.’ — Prior, p. 16; Hal. 
