In looking over some memoranda, I find the following Queries entered; and,
as it is more than probable that some of the readers of "N. & Q." who take
an interest in our wild flowers, and love the simple, homely names which
were given them by our fathers, will easily solve them, I send them for
insertion:
1. _Capsella_, _Bursa pastoris_, "Shepherd's Purse." Why was this plant
called "St. James's Wort;" French, "Fleur de St. Jacques?" Was it used in
medicine? Its old name, "Poor Man's Parmacetic," would imply that it was.
2. _Veronica Chamædrys_, "Eye-bright," "Paul's Betony," and "Fluellin."
What was the origin of these two names?
3. _Primula veris_, "Cowslip," "Palsy Wort;" French, "Herbe de la
Paralysie." Is this plant used in any of our village pharmacopoeias as a
remedy for palsy; and if so, how? I may also add another Query on this
plant, and which I trust some _fair_ reader will answer; and that is, How
is the ointment prepared from the leaves (?), which is used to remove tan
and freckles from the sunburnt?
4. _Viburnum opulus_, "Guelder Rose." Was this plant originally a native of
the Low Countries? I am inclined to think that its distribution was of a
very wide range.
5. _Neottia spiralis_, "Ladies' Tresses," "Sweet Cods," "Sweet Cullins,"
and "Stander Grass." What is the origin of these names?