PLANT-LORE OF SHAKESPEARE 
203 
ness giving a relish and delight whereinsoever they are used; ” 
and he mentions another curious use, no longer in fashion, I 
believe, but which might be worth a trial: “ The seeds being 
cast into the grounde in the spring time will quickly grow up, 
and when they are a finger’s length high, being pluckt up and 
put among Sallats, will give them a marvellous fine aromatick 
or spicy tast, very acceptable.” 1 
©Siet*, see willow. 
©Slips. 
(I) 
Bold Oxlips, and 
The Crown Imperial.— Winter’s Tale, iv. 4, 125. 
(2) 
I know a bank where the wild Thyme blows, 
Where Oxlips and the nodding Violet grows. 
Midsummer Night’s Drea?n, 
( 3 ) 
Oxlips in their cradles growing. 
Two Noble Kinsmen , Introd. song. 
The true Oxlip (Primula eliator) is so like both the Primrose 
and Cowslip that it has been by many supposed to be a hybrid 
between the two. Sir Joseph Hooker, however, considers it 
a true species. It is a handsome plant, but it is probably not 
the “ bold Oxlip ” of Shakespeare, or the plant which is such 
a favourite in cottage gardens. The true Oxlip ( P . eliator of 
Jacquin) is an eastern counties’ plant; while the common forms 
of the Oxlip are hybrids between the Cowslip and Primrose. 
(See Cowslip and Primrose.) 
1 For an account of the early importation of the fruit see “ Promptorium 
Parvulorum,” p. 371, note. 
