84 
ARUM MACULATUM. 
that “ this playful appellation has suggested some of the numerous and 
interesting reminiscences with which Clare’s poetry abounds, and 
which constitute one of its principal charms.” (See “ Village 
Minstrel ”) :— 
“ Oft under trees we nestled in a ring, 
Culling our ‘ Lords and Ladies.’ O ye hours ! 
I never see the broad-leaved Arum spring. 
Stained with spots of jet. I never see 
Those dear delights which April still does bring, 
But memory’s tongue repeats it all to me.” 
From the same authority I gather that the appellations Dog 
Bobbin and Bobbin and Joan were in use in some parts of Northants, 
both of which names have doubtless been suggested by the fancied 
resemblance to a lacemaker’s bobbin. It would be interesting to 
ascertain if they are still in use within the county, also by what addi¬ 
tional names the herb is known among the rustic population of the 
Midland Counties. 
I have been informed that the peasantry of this district (Hampton- 
in-Arden) term them Bulls and Cows, or Cows and Calves, of which 
the dark-coloured spadices are bulls, and the lighter ones cows. It 
would appear from the above authority that the use of this name has 
also extended into the adjoining county of Northants, though at present 
I have not heard it used there. The terms Cuckoo Flowers and 
Cuckoos are not in general use, though sanctioned by Clare. (See 
“ Rural Muse,” as quoted by Miss Baker) 
“ And gaping Cuckoo Flower, with spotted leaves 
Seems blushing of the singing it has heard.” 
And 
“ Bedlam Cowslips and Cuckoos, 
With freck’d lip and hooked nose. 
Growing safe near the hazel of thicket and woods.” 
Clare's MS. Poems. 
Respecting Cuckoo’s Pint, I think very probably that this is but 
the corruption of the phrase “ the point (poignard or spear) of the 
Cuckoo,” which is a translation of the name by which the plant is 
known in Wales. Culpeper adopts what seems to be the more correct 
orthography—“ Cuckow’s Point.” 
Among more than twenty names for the plant noticed by Parkinson, 
are—Cuckowe’s Pintle, Priest’s Pintle, Rampe, Buckrams, Starch- 
wort ; “ and in Latin— Arum, and by some Pes vituli, because the leaf 
doth somewhat resemble a calve’s foote; some nlso Dracoiitea minor, and 
Serpentaria minor: others againe, from the figure of the pestle or 
clapper in the middle of the hose, call it Sarcerdotes penis, and Cains 
priapus." 
Robt. Rogers, Hampton-in-Arden. 
