Note E210 — 39.

"Mercurie." A name rather vaguely applied in old works, probably the "Good Henry, Chenopodium Bonus Henricus." Called also "Allgood," Dutch algoede, Ger. allgut, from Lat. tota bona, Cotgrave and Palsgrave toutte bonne, on account of its excellent qualities as a remedy and as an esculent; hence the proverb: "Be thou sick or whole, put Mercury in thy koale."—Cogan, Haven of Health, ch. 28. "The Barons Mercury, or male Phyllon dronken, causeth to engender male children, and the Mayden Mercurie, or gyrles Phyllon dronken, causeth to engender Gyrles or Daughters."—Lyte's Dodoens, p. 78.

It is still much grown in some districts, as in Lincolnshire (where it is called "Marquerry"), being boiled and eaten as spinach.—Note by Mr. J. Britten, F.L.S.