HABITS AND LATIN NAMES OF BRITISH PLANTS. 
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Borago officinalis , Common Borage.—This plant is now seldom used inwardly, 
but as an ingredient in cool tankards for Summer drinking, though the young and 
tender leaves are agreeable in salads, or as a pot-herb. It was formerly esteemed 
a principal vegetable cordial, as testifies the Latin proverb, 
“ Ego Borago gaudia semper ago 
or, as Gerard has it, 44 Those of our time do vse the flowers in sallads to ex¬ 
hilarate and make the minde glad. There be also many things made of them, 
vsed every where for the comfort of the heart, for the driving away of sorrowe, 
and increasing the ioie of the minde.” By the experiments of M. Marggraff 
(Mem. de Berlin), it appears that the juice affords a true nitre. 
Borkhausia. —Named in honour of Moritz Borkhausen, a German botanist. 
Botrychium. —From j6’orgw, a bunch of grapes; from the appearance of the 
branched clusters of capsules. 
Botrychium lunaria , Common Moonwort.—Its name lunaria , or Moonwort, 
is taken from the shape of the leaves, and if gathered by the light of the moon, 
was said to 44 doo woonders.” Gerard mentions a remarkable instance of the 
properties attributed to it by the alchemists and witches, 44 that it will loose 
locks and make them fall from the feet of Horses that do grase where it doth 
grow 44 too drowsie a dream” for even Gerard to believe, but he adds, that it 
is 44 singular for wounds.” 
Brachypodium .—From j%cSs", short, and wow, a foot; from the spikelets 
being almost sessile. 
Brachypodium sylvaticum , Slender False Brome-grass.—Cattle refuse this 
Grass. It is very subject to be affected with the 44 rust” when flowering. 
Brachypodium pinnatum, Heath False Brome-grass.—It cannot as yet be 
considered in any other light than as a noxious weed; for though the weight of 
produce is large, it is neither early, nutritive, nor relished by cattle. Mr. 0. 
Roberts has observed it on Spoonbed Hill, near Painswick, so stoloniferous as to 
be prejudicially exclusive of more valuable herbage. 
Brassica. — Yarro says, quasi prcesica, from proeseco , to cut off, because it is 
cut from the stalk for use ; or from nrpata-ia, a bed in a garden, where they are 
cultivated. Hooker, according to Theis, derives it from the Celtic Bresic , a 
Cabbage. Withering from /Spao-o-w, to boil; being commonly so prepared as an 
esculent vegetable. 
Brassica napus , Rape or Cole-seed.—The roots of the cultivated variety may 
be eaten like the Turnip, but they have a stronger taste, and its seeds, which are 
called Cole-seed, afford a large quantity of expressed oil, called Rape oil, which is 
Hence the old adage, 44 1 Borage, bring always courage. ’ 
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