I am gratified and amused by the learned interest that my image and commentary on Cuckoopint herb has stirred. At first I had thought perhaps there was an urgent cultural need to understand the starching of Elizabethen costume ruffs, I now see that it may have been more related to my initial commentary on the seminal vessels .

The glycosides in this plant are of unknown structure, the other main constituent is a group of acetylated mannans.Large doses administered for sore throats have caused death. Apparently hibernating bears like to eat quantities of the stuff to "open the gut due to its windy nature" before getting down to a new seasons foraging.

But before you try and chop the root up to agglutinise your spermatazoa remember " it choppeth blistereth and maketh hands rough and rugged and withall smarting".

Its other commen name by the way is Lords and Ladies-.

My goodness I notice a further surge in erudite perusal since my main entry.

Also Fratres I urgently petition you to support the thread of Favonius Cornelius on "Great Artifacts" and to view the gallery images of Pantagathus and the elegant coins of antiquity.