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• A ghastly superstition was attached to the Yew when thus August 17, 2009
  A ghastly superstition was attached to the Yew when thus growing in a churchyard, that it would prey upon [621] the dead bodies lying beneath its sombre shade. So Tennyson writes (_In Memoriam_):– “Old Yew! which graspest at the stones That name the underlying dead, Thy fibres net the dreamless head, Thy roots are wrapped about [...]
• YEW. August 16, 2009
  Although the Yew–a Conifer–which is so thoroughly English a tree, is known to be highly poisonous as regards its leaves to the humans subject, and as concerning its loppings or half-dead branches, to oxen, horses, and asses, yet a medicinal tincture (H.) is made from the young shoots, which has distinct and curative uses. Both [...]
• A medicinal tincture (H.) is prepared from the whole plant August 16, 2009
  A medicinal tincture (H.) is prepared from the whole plant with spirit of wine. This, when employed in a diluted form of the first or third decimal strength, and [618] in small doses of from five to ten drops in a tablespoonful of cold water, will act admirably in arresting nocturnal losses in the male; [...]
• YARROW. August 15, 2009
  The Yarrow, from _hiera_, holy herb (_Achillea millefolium_), or Milfoil, is so called from the very numerous fine segments of its leaves. It is a Composite plant very common on waysides and in pastures throughout Britain. The name _Achillea_ has been bestowed thereupon because the Greek warrior, Achilles, is said to have disclosed its virtues which [...]
• Absinthe, a liqueur concocted from Wormwood, is used largely in August 15, 2009
  Absinthe, a liqueur concocted from Wormwood, is used largely in France, and the medical verdict pronounced there about its effects shows that it exercises through the pneumogastric nerve a painful sensation, which has been taken for that of extreme hunger. This feeling goes off quickly if a little alcohol is given, though it is aggravated [...]
• WORMWOOD. August 14, 2009
  The common Wormwood (_Artemisia absinthium_) has been partly considered here together with Mugwort, to which it is closely allied. It is a Composite herb of frequent growth on waste ground, being a bushy plant with silky stems, and collections of numerous small heads of dull yellow flowers. The name Wormwood is from _wehren_, to keep [...]
• WOODSORRELL (_See also “Docks.”_) August 13, 2009
  This elegant little herb, called also French Sorrel, Rabbits’ food, Shamrock, and Wood Sour (_Oxalis acetosella_), is abundant throughout our woods, and in other moist, shady places. It belongs to the natural order of Geraniums, and bears the provincial names of Sour trefoil, Cuckoo’s bread, or Gowk’s-meat, and Stubwort (from growing about the stubs of [...]
• A fragrant and exhilarating tea may be made from the August 13, 2009
  A fragrant and exhilarating tea may be made from the leaves and blossoms of the sweet Woodruffe, and this is found to be of service in correcting sluggishness of the liver. “When it is desired,” says Mr. Johns, “to preserve the leaves merely for their scent, the stem should be cut through just below and [...]
• WOODRUFF. August 12, 2009
  Concerning the Sweet Woodruff (_Asperula odorata_), it is a favourite little plant growing commonly in our woods and gardens, with a pleasant smell which, like the good deeds of the worthiest persons, delights by its fragrance most after death. This herb is of the Rubiaceous order, and gets its botanical name from the Latin _asper_, [...]
• WHITETHORN. (_See_ “Hawthorn,” _page 245_.) August 12, 2009
  WHORTLEBERRY. (_See_ “Bilberry,” _page 52_.)
• This plant grows in moist meadows, but is not common. August 11, 2009
  This plant grows in moist meadows, but is not common. Its roots are reddish of colour inside. The Bistort contains starch, and much tannin; likewise its rhizome (crooked root) furnishes gallic acid. The decoction is to be made with an ounce of the bruised root boiled in a pint of water; one tablespoonful of this may [...]
• An Ointment may be made with this juice to stimulate August 11, 2009
  An Ointment may be made with this juice to stimulate the scalp so as to prevent falling out of the hair. The root contains tannin and mucilage, it is therefore astringent and demulcent. Also the expressed juice from the fresh leaves of this white Water Lily, the “one sinless flower,” if used as a head [...]
• WATER PLANTS (Other). August 10, 2009
  (Water Dropwort, Water Lily, Water Pepper.) The Water Dropwort–Hemlock (_oenanthe crocata_) is an umbelliferous plant, frequent in our marshes and ditches. [604] It is named from _oinos_, wine, and _anthos_, a flower, because its blossoms have a vinous smell. A medicinal tincture is made (H.) from the ripe fruit. The leaves look like Celery, and the roots [...]
• WART-WORT, OR WART-WEED. August 10, 2009
  This name has been commonly applied to the Petty Spurge, or to the Sun Spurge, a familiar little weed growing abundantly in English gardens, with umbels of a golden green colour which “turn towards the sun.” Its stem and leaves yield, when wounded, an acrid milky juice which is popularly applied for destroying warts, and [...]
• Nuts of various kinds, being charged with carbon and oil, August 9, 2009
  Nuts of various kinds, being charged with carbon and oil, are highly nutritious, but on account of this oil abounding, they are not readily digested by some persons. In Southern Europe, the Chestnut is a staple article of food, The title “nut” signifies a hard round lump, from _nodus_, a knot. Leigh Hunt wrote meaningly of [...]