In France, the young tops and tender leaves of the Marsh Mallow are added to spring salads, as stimulating the kidneys healthily, for which purpose is likewise prepared a syrup of Marsh Mallows (_Syrupus Althoeus_) from the roots with cold water, to which the [325] sugar is afterwards added. The leaves, flowers, and roots, are employed for making ptisans. In Devonshire, this plant is termed by the farmers, "Meshmellish," also "Drunkards," because growing close by the water; and in the West of England, "Bulls-eyes"; whilst being known in Somerset as "Bull Flowers" (pool flowers). The root of the Marsh Mallow contains starch, mucilage, pectin, oil, sugar, asparagin, phosphate of lime, glutinous matter and cellulose. An infusion made with cold water takes up the mucilage, sugar, and asparagin, then the hot water dissolves the starch. The flowers were used formerly on May-day by country people for strewing before their doors, and weaving into garlands. The Geranium is said to have been originally a Mallow. Mahomet having washed his shirt while on a journey, hung it on a Mallow to dry, and the plant became therefore promoted to be a Geranium. Most probably, the modern French _Pate de gimauve_ contains actually nothing of the plant or its constituents; but the root is given in France to infants, on which they may try their teeth during dentition, much as Orris root is used elsewhere. The laxative quality of the common Mallow was mentioned by Martial:-- "Exoneraturas ventrem mihi villica malvas Attulit, et varias quas habet hortus opes." The Musk Mallow (_Malva moschata_) is another common variety of this plant, which emits from its leaves a faint musky odour, especially in warm weather, or when they are drawn lightly through the hand. Its virtues are similar in kind, but less powerful in degree, to those of the Marsh Mallow. [326] MARIGOLD. In the _Grete Herball_ this plant was called Mary Gowles. Three varieties of the Marigold exercise medicinal virtues which constitute them Herbal Simples of a useful nature--the Corn Marigold (_Chrysanthemum segetum_), found in our cornfields; the cultivated garden Marigold (_Calendula officinalis_); and the Marsh Marigold (_Caltha palustris_), growing in moist grass lands, and popularly known as "Mareblobs." The Corn Marigold, a Composite flower, called also Bigold, and the Yellow Oxeye, grows freely, though locally, in English cornfields, its brilliant yellow flowers contrasting handsomely with adjacent Scarlet-hued Poppies and Bluebottles (_Centaurea cyanus_). It is also named Buddle or Boodle, from _buidel_, a purse, because it bears _gools_ or _goldins_, representing gold coins, in the form of the flat, round, brightly yellow blossoms, which were formerly known, too, as _Ruddes_ (red flowers). The botanical title of the species, _Chrysanthemum segetum_, signifies "golden flower."