74 LANGUAGE AND 
from this plant that there is nothing analogous 
to it in nature excepting the hue ot morn: 
“ How when the rosy morn begins to rise, 
And wave her saffron streamers through the skies.” 
Saffron was formerly much used in medicines, 
but modern discovery has enabled us to dismiss 
it from our pharmacopoeia, as also from the labo¬ 
ratory of the manufacturer’s chemist, more per¬ 
manent dyes having supplied its place. It still, 
however, retains its post at the confectioner’s, 
where its use must have been well known as 
long ago as Shakspeare’s days, since we find the 
clown in the “Winter’s Tale,” when enumerat¬ 
ing the articles he has for sale, speaks of “ saffron 
to "color the warden pies.” 
Virgil alludes to the fondness of bees for 
“the glowing crocus,” as also does Moore, in 
his “ Lalla liookh” : 
“ The busiest hive 
On Bela’s hills is less a.live 
When saffron-beds are full in flower, 
Than looked the valley in that hour.” 
Mrs. Ilowitt says of the purple crocus: 
“ Like lilac flame its color glows, 
Tender and yet so clearly bright 
That all for miles and miles about 
The splendid meadow shineth out; 
And far-off village children shout 
To see the welcome sight.” 
