SHAKESPEARE’S GARDEN 
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hydi'olcipathum, Huds., to the 3-inch stem of Rumex 
cicetosella, L. 
Monk’s rhubarb (Rumex alpinus, L.), a naturalized 
species, has a root used in medicine and its leaves 
for a pot-herb. It must not be confused with the 
true rhubarb (Rheum). Rumex acetosa, L., a common 
British plant, is cultivated for salads, and abounds in 
binoxalate of potash. Its name “ sorrell,” Prior says 
(p. 1209); is derived from the French surelle and 
German sur, from the acidity of its leaves, due to 
the oxalic acid it contains. 
The nettle needs little description. We all know 
from experience that it has the power to inflict an 
extremely irritating sting. Each hair is hollow, and 
has at its base a little sac of acrid fluid, set in an 
elastic envelope of cells ; the point of the hair is 
sharp, but protected by a little cap. When the 
nettle is lightly touched, the cap is broken off, the 
hair pierces the hand, and the incision forces a drop 
of acrid fluid into the blood. If grasped firmly, the 
hair is broken lower down, and there is no sharp 
point to pierce the skin. There are thirteen refer¬ 
ences in the poet, most of which, without doubt, refer 
to the common nettle of our waste lands (Uttica 
dioica, L.). Some we have already quoted in connec¬ 
tion with other flowers. Others we now give : 
We call a nettle but a nettle, and 
The faults of fools but folly. 
Coriolanus, II. i. 207. 
And, again: 
Goads, thorns, nettles, tails of wasps. 
Winter's Tale, I. ii. 329. 
Look for thy reward 
Among the nettles at the elder-tree. 
Titus Andronicus, II. iii. 271. 
