lxxii PROCEEDINGS — PERTHSHIRE SOCIETY OF NATURAL SCIENCE. 
7. Dictionary names which are either corruptions of the English 
name or translations, and which cannot properly be called 
indigenous names. 
1. Names derived from the Uses or Qualities. 
Taking, in the first place, the names which have been given on 
account of the real or supposed qualities of the plants, or the uses to 
which they have been put, it will be found that a majority of them 
have been named on account of their medicinal qualities, real or 
imaginary. It was an article of belief that for every malady there 
existed not far off some plant that could cure it. The difficulty lay 
in knowing which was the beneficial plant; and so, in cases of 
emergency, all the kinds of plants in the locality were taken and 
used, in full belief that the right one must be amongst them! 
Another article of faith which was at one time firmly held—and 
which, perhaps, is not yet altogether consigned to oblivion—was that 
the shape or colour of parts of the plant indicated its use. Thus, 
a plant with a kidney-shaped leaf must be beneficial in cases of 
disease of the kidneys. This belief was founded on the “doctrine of 
signatures,” because the shape of the plant signified its qualities. 
I rather think, however, that it was not so prevalent in the Highlands 
as elsewhere. 
Let us now glance at some of the names. 
The Red Wound Healer ( creachlach dearg ) is the Blood-coloured 
Geranium {Geranium sa?igui?ieum), and is said to be still esteemed 
for its astringent and vulnerary properties. 
The Milk Wort {Jus a bhctine ) is supposed to increase the milk 
of cows which feed on it. Though the English name Milk Wort and 
the scientific name Polygala have the same meaning as the Gaelic, 
yet, as the plant is common and conspicuous, the Gaelic name is not 
improbably indigenous. 
The Vetch {Vicia saliva) derives its Gaelic and Irish name, 
fiatglial , from the nutritious properties of its seeds (from fiadh or 
biadh , food). 
The Sweet-Scented Bramble ( dris chubhraidli) is the Sweet Briar 
{Rosa rubiginosa). 
The Rowan or Mountain Ash {Pyrus Aucufiaria) has several 
names in Gaelic. Luis (drink), because a very good spirit could be 
distilled from the fruit. Craobh chaoran (the berry tree), from the 
fruit. Fuinseag coille (the wood enchantress), or the wood ash. 
This was considered one of the most propitious of trees, and hence 
it was planted near every dwelling-house (for distilling ! ?). Its fruit 
gave long life to all who ate it; its wood was a sovereign protection 
against all enchantment, and so pieces were carried on the person, or 
fastened to the masts of the fishing boats and to the tails of the cows.' 
Probably the resemblance of the leaves to those of the ash—a tree 
which, amongst the northern nations, Lad many legends attached to 
it—led to some of these beliefs. 
The Ear Plant {his nan cluas) is the House Leek ( Sempervivum ), 
whose juice was used as a remedy for the ear-ache. 
