Page:Glossary of words in use in Cornwall.djvu/306

A GL0S8ABT OF DKV0N8HIBE PLAKT NAMES. 37 people of position and intelligence esapioj it. (See Priori p. 148 ; Britten, pp. 324, 326.) Mash. {Cf. Mabsh, Academy , July 8th, 1882.) Masks, Masts. Aconis, fruit of Quereua Bobur, L. Also applied to the fruit of the Beech, but not so frequently in Devonsluie, so far as my own oboervation goes. In Shakespeare we read, The oaks bear mast" See Trans. Devon. Assoc. viL p. 505 ; Britten, p. 326. Maub, or Mawkr. SeeMooR,andEarle'sP/an^iVante5,p.lxzziv. Mat, Mat-blossom, Mat-flowbb. From the time of flowering, or because employed in garlands, deoorations» &c. (1) Syringa vulgaris^ L., or the Lilac I was speaking to an old lady at Ipplepen on one occasion about the name of the Valerian, when she remarked that the flower was " like a pattern of May ; " ue. that it had the appearance of a bunch of like. (2^ Cratcegus Oxyaeardlic^ L., but not so common as the foregoing. (3) A sprig of Elm. (See especially Trans. Devon. Assoc zi pi 137.) Not the flowers of Acer Pseudo-plaianus^ L., as Britten says (p. 328), but the branches in early leaf. {Belfast Flower Lore^ p. 25.) (4) Vibwmum TinuSy L., or the Laurestine, perhaps only by mistake among the lower classes ; still, the name is in use. (5) Arabis alptnOj L. In Someraet especially. (See Britten, p. 328.) Mat Pink, Dianthus CaryophyUuSy L. The common white garden pink. Mat Tostt, Vihwmum Opidus, L. Britten records the name of '< May Rose " for the Guelder Bosa (For Tosty see 1^-Tosty.) Mazzabo, Mazzud, Pruntis Avium and P. CerasttSf L. (See Prior, p. 152 ; Britten, p. 329 ; Devonshire Courtship, p. 52.) The latter form approaches mote nearly the representation of the vulgar pronunciation than the farmer. Prior refers to Latin manzar ; but see Diez, Romance Dictionary, under that word. Meat Nut, Castanea vesea, L. A well-known chemist and botanist in South Devon always speaks of the Chestnut by this name when using his native brogue, and tells me it is a common designation for that fruit The diopkeepers confirm this ; and as the nut IB largely employed at home and abroad as an article of diet {Outlines of Botany), the name is most appropriate. Mbrt-me-Lovb, Saxifraga umbrosa, L. In North Devon this name is used as a contraction of " Meet-me-Love-behind-th&<jkirden- Door, usually applied elsewhere to the Pansy, as already shown under Kiss-mb, Look-up, &c., which see. {Cf. Britten, p. 331.) Mbrbiok, Medica sativa, L A corruption of Mediek. {Cf. Prior, p. 153.) Mbsh. {(^. Mabsh.) Miss. In West Devon for Mace = Masks, which see. (Britten, p. 318.)