Linum Catharticum and the Fairies

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linum catharticum

The white-flowered Linum catharticum, or purging flax, which grows in natural pastures, is called by the shepherds in Berwickshire ‘Fairy Lint.’ It is supposed to furnish the fairy women with materials for their distaffs. As I was the first to make known this name in Johnston’s Nat. His. East. Bor., p. 45, I protest against attempts made to explain that it is so-called ” from its great delicacy.’ Denham 149

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