280 
THE SWALLOW’S HERB. 
saluberrimam hirundines monstravere vexatis pullorum 
oculis ilia medentes.” 
Gerard, referring to this plant, in his “ Herball, or Generali 
Historie of Plantes” (1597), observes :—“ It is called celan¬ 
dine, not because it then first springeth at the comming in of 
the swallowes, or dieth when they goe away; for as we haue 
saide, it may be founde all the yeere; but because some hold 
opinion that with this herbe the dams restore sight to their 
yoong ones when their eies be out, the which things are 
vaine and false: for Cornelius Celsus in his sixt booke 
doth witnesse that when the sight of the eies of diuers 
yoong birdes be put foorth by some outward meanes, it 
will after a time be restored of itselfe, and soonest of all 
the sight of the swallow, whereupon, (as the same saith) 
that the tale or fable grew, how, thorow an herbe the dams 
restore that thing, which healeth of itselfe : the very same 
doth Aristotle alleadge in the sixt booke of the historie of 
liuing creatures : the eies of young swallowes, saith he, 
that are not fledge, if a man do pricke them out, do grow 
againe, and afterwards do perfectly recouer their sight.” 
Subsequently, when speaking of the “virtues” of the plant, 
the sage Gerard continues :—“ The iuice of the herbe is 
good to sharpen the sight, for it clenseth and consumeth 
awaie slimie things that cleaue about the ball of the eie, 
and hinder the sight.” The root was considered good for 
yellow-jaundice, and also (being chewed) for toothache. 
Gerard adds, “ The roote cut in small peeces is good to be 
