56 i. GI/>8ailRY OF PKV0N8HIKE PLAlfT NAHE&L Wild LiLTy Arum maculahim^ L. The name will at once be undentood when we call to miad certain cultivated plants which have exactly the same ahape and appeavanoe, axid which go by the name of IMy, The fact ia that LUy is in some languages used as the name for flowers generally, and we seem to come in for a share of the influence tiius exerted. {Cf. Prior, p. 136.) Willow Blobsoi^ Phlox. Cf. ** Willow-herb " as an illustration of the way in which the name originated. WiND-FLOWKB, Anemons^ L. (Prior, p. 254 ; Flora Dom. 8.V. ; Plant Lore of Sfiakespeare, s.v.; Trans. Devon. Assoc xiiL p. 213.) WiNTBB Daisy. A small Chrysanthemum, about the size of a Daisy, so called because it blossoms in winter. See next entry. WiNTJSB Geranium, Chrysanthemum^ from its blossoming in winter, and because the leaf and scent are similar to some species of scented Geraniums. WiNTBR Ross, HeUehorus niger, L. The more common English name is Christmas Eose," so called on account of its open rose- like flower, and its blossoming during the winter months," on which account the Devonshire name is more correct than the other. {Cf. Prior, p. 46 ; Britten, p. 103.) Witch Halbs, Ulmus tnotdanoy L. The Witch-elm, or Wych- elm, as Prior has it (p. 259). {Trans. Devon. Assoc xiii 97.) It is remarkable that though Prior and others refuse to allow witches any right to the tree, the Germans call it Zauber-straucfi, and it is often associated with sorcery and witchcraft in general folklore. Withers, Poa aquatica, L. A coarse grass growing in marshy places; commonly called Sword-grass," because the blades are broad and sharp. Probably from A.S. w(d, " broad," " wida" WrmwiND, WiTHYWIND, WiTHYWINO, WiTHYWKBD, &C., CoUVOl- vulus arvensiSf L. From its habit of " winding about " the stalks of Com, &c A.S. w^Stvinde; from m%, '^ about/' and windan^
- to wind." (Of. Prior, p. 255 ; Earle, p. 19.)
WiTHY-TRBE, Solix, L. The ordinary Willow. In mos£ parts of England, on the contrary, the name is confined to S. vindnalis, L. (See Prior, pp. 255-6, for etymology; Pro£ Max Miiller's Chips from a Oerman Workshop, iv. p. 250 ; Earle, pp. Ixix., 20, 39.) WoBTS, Vaccinium MyrtUlus, L. Whortleberries. {Cf. Hurts, See Prior, pp. 253, 268.) WuTS. Oats, a corruption common to many parts of England. Yellow Rose, Corchorus Japonlcus, L.
