286 
A DICTIONARY OF 
Kenkerig. ‘ The Welsh name for a variety of Parmelia saxatilis, 
called omphalodes, v'hich is much gathered for dyeing amongst the 
mountains.’ Treas. Bot. 
Kenning Herb. ‘ Crowfoot.’ — Cornw. Polwhele. ‘ An ulcer of the 
corner of the eye is here called a kenning.’ T. Q. Couch. The name 
is therefore derived from its use as an apphcation in that disease, hut 
there is probably some error to be suspected in the identification with 
CrovToot, for Mr. Couch further observes that the Celandine {Cheli- 
donium majus) is used in Cornw. for sore eyes. Polwhele, w'ho was no 
naturalist, has in all probabihty confounded the latter plant with 
the lesser Celandine [Ranunculus Ficaria, L.), which is called Crow- 
foot ; and the name kenning -herb should more correctly be referred 
to Chelidonium. The ancient behef that swallows use the Chelidonium 
to restore sight to their young ones would point to_^that plant as a 
remedy in eye diseases rather than to any of the Crowfoots [Ranun- 
culus), the properties of which are acrid and irritant. 
Kentish Balsam. Mercurialis perennis, L. — Kent. ‘ Prom the 
similarity of the leaf to that of the garden Balsam.’ Pratt. 
Kerlock. (1) Sinapis arvensis, L. — Gloti. Hal. has Kerlok. In 
Bucks, and Oxf., Kerlick ;,.,Wiamp.[^Kerlack (Sternb.). 
(2) Sinapis alba, L., and (3) S. nigra, L. — Glou. 
(4) Brassica Rapa, L. — Suss. Parish. 
Kernelwort. Scrophularia nodosa, L. — Ger. ‘ The roote is whitish, 
beset with little knobs and bunches, as it were knots and kernels ’ 
(Ger. 579); and it was therefore considered ‘good against the hard 
kernels’ (p. 580), or scrofulous glands in the neck. Prior, p. 127. 
Kerse. ‘ A water-cress. (A.S.) 
‘ ‘ Men witen welle whiche hath the werse. 
And so to me nis worth a kerse.” 
Gower, MS. Soc. Antiq. 134, f. 68.’ Hal. Wr. 
Kerse is used in the above quotation to express a thing of small value, 
and is probably the origin of the modern saying that a man ‘ is not 
worth a curse.’ A cress of any kind is probably intended. 
Kerse, Water. Nasturtium officinale, Br. — Lyte (Water Kars). 
E. Bord. Bot. E. Bord. Jamiesonicalls it^Well Kerse; 'and Hal. has 
‘ Kersouns, watercresses. North.' 
Kesh, pi. Keshes. (1) Heracleum- Sphondylium, L., and large 
hollow-stemmed Umbelliferce generally.— S.- TP. Cumb. ; ‘the hollow 
stem of an umbelliferous plant,’ Yks. (West Biding), E. D. S. Gloss. 
B. 7. ‘ A kex or hollow stem. North.’ Hal. 
(2) ^gopodium Podagraria, L. — Cumb. E. D. S. Gloss. C. 8. 
Kesh, Dry. Heracleum Sphondylium, L. — Cumb. E. D. S. Gloss. 
C. 8. 
Kesh, Water. Angelica sylvestris, L. — Cumb. E. D. S. Gloss. C. 8. 
Kesk, or Kesks. (1) Heracleum Sphondylium, L., and large 
hollow-stemmed Unibelliferoe generally. — Cumb. E. D. S. Gloss. C. 8. 
