Note E231 — 42.

"Costmary, L. Costus amarus, Fr. coste amere, misunderstood as Costus Mariæ, an error that has very naturally arisen from this plant having been dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, and called after her, Maudlin, either in allusion to her box of scented ointment, or to its use in the uterine affections over which she presided. In old authors it occurs as Herba sanctæ or divæ Mariæ."—Dr. R. Prior, Popular Names of Brit. Plants. Called also Alecost from its having formerly been esteemed an agreeable aromatic bitter, and much used for flavouring ale: "If you list to make a pleasant drinke, and comfortable to the stomache, put certaine handfuls of this herbe in the bottome of a vesselle, and tunne up new Ale vpon it."—Cogan, Haven of Health, ch. 69.