Page:Studies in Lowland Scots - Colville - 1909.djvu/276

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STUDIES IN LOWLAND SCOTS

7. Plant Life.

Birch, S. bhûrga, Russ. bereza, Sc. birk, M.E. birche. Beech or Oak, [S. bhaga], S. bhaksh to eat, φηγός, L. fagus, O.H.G. Puohha (Buche), A.S. bók, O.E. bécen (adj.). Sallow=water-haunting, S. sara a pond, ἑλίκη, L. salix, Ir. saileach. O.H.G. Salahá, M.E. salwe, Sc. sauch. Osier, R. wi-, plait, S. veta-sá (reed), ἰτέα (willow), L. vitis (vine), W. gwden, Lit. zil-wittis (gray willow for baskets), Danish vidie, E. withe, wind, Sc. widdie. Reed, S. kaláma (reed-pen), κάλαμος, L. culmus (stalk), C. kalaf, Dutch halm, E. haulm (der. quill).

The last three groups are all important as affording some clue to the common home. The larger feræ naturæ are absent. Those we have here are familiar to the northern verge of the Temperate Zone. The ordinary features of the bear are overlooked here, and a name is given him that is connected with the place he occupies in mythology. Similarly, the name of the hare is accounted for by early folk-lore, in which he plays a large part all over the Aryan world. Under serpent-words it should be noted that there is no trace of any worship of the creature. In the larger forms it is dreaded, but for the harmless ones there is no change of radical meaning. From the Celtic clearly comes the Scotch ask or esk, the eft or newt. The bird-terms are few and all northern, notably the crane, which does not extend further east than Armenia. The use of the word as a machine, as well as bird, seems very old. These bird-terms are all of the imitative kind. Such creatures all attract attention first by their cries.

8. The Farm.

Field, R. ag—, drive, V. agra (agra, place where cattle are driven out), ἀγρός, L. Ager, Go. akr, E. acre. Path, R. pat-, spat-, stretch out, S. pathas, πάτος, L. pons (pathway), Sl. pati, T. fad, Sc. paeth. Plough, S. árya landholder, L. ar-are, Sl. orati to plough, Ir. ar-aim, I plough, S. irâ and urvarâ=ἔραζε ἄρουρα=arvum (ploughed land); S. ar-itra=C. ar-athor=L. ar-atrum (a plough), Norse aror, ἐρετμος=L. remus (oar); Go. ar-jan=M.E. erien=ear (to plough), oar. Sowing, R. sa-, cast, scatter,