PLANT-LORE OF SHAKESPEARE 89 
nor Milton ever saw an English Vine trained to an Elm; they 
were simply copying from the classical writers. 
The Wych Elm is probably a true native, but the more 
common Elm of our hedgerows is a tree of Southern Europe 
and North Africa, and is of such modern introduction into 
England, that in Evelyn’s time it was rarely seen north of 
Stamford. It was probably introduced into Southern England 
by the Romans, 
Eringoes, 
Let the sky rain Potatoes; let it thunder to the tune of Green Sleeves, 
hail kissing-comfits, and snow Eringoes .—Merry Wives , v. 5, 20. 
Gerard tells us that Eringoes are the candied roots of the 
Sea Holly (Eryngium mariti?nu?n\ and he gives the recipe for 
candying them. I am not aware 
that the Sea Holly is ever now 
so used, but it is a very hand¬ 
some plant as it is seen growing 
on the sea shore, and its fine 
foliage makes it an ornamental 
plant for a garden. But as used 
by Falstaff I am inclined to think 
that the vegetable he wished for 
was the Globe Artichoke, which 
is a near ally of the Eryngium, 
was a favourite diet in Shake¬ 
speare’s time, and was reputed 
to have certain special virtues 
which are not attributed to the 
Sea Holly, but which would 
more accord with Falstaff’s character. 1 I cannot, however, 
anywhere find that the Artichoke was called Eringoes. 
1 For these supposed virtues of the Artichoke see Bullein’s “Book of 
Simples,” 
