Cryptogram

Some interesting snippets from the current Maigret, 'Maigret se défend'.

First we have gales. Properly a parasitic infection of the skin of animals or of the leaves of plants, familiarly a person of bad character, about whom there is unpleasant gossip. In this case, a nurse of unfortunate appearance. But the infections might be caused by cryptogames, which are not crosswords, as at first might appear, but a sort of plant with obscure reproductive arrangements, not involving things like flowers or fir cones. Algae, mushrooms and ferns. Games from gametes rather than from grams, a suffix usually meaning something written.

Appropriately, off to the French book of life, noticed at reference 2, to find out whether this is a proper term of taxonomy. I think the answer is no, with cryptogames spreading themselves about a bit, spanning several not very closely related clades (if that is the right bit of jargon). I do find cryptophytes but they are not quite the same thing - and I am not even sure if they are cryptogames at all.

Lastly we have the doctors who don't like the state to meddle in medical affairs. With this particular one being called a 'protestataire … forcené'. With the forcené bit approximating to enraged, out of control. I associate to the many medical people who were vehemently opposed to the invention of the National Health Service, back in 1948, the year before my birth. A not very creditable episode in the profession which is perhaps best forgotten.

Reference 1: Maigret se défend - Simenon - 1964. Volume XXIII of the collected works. Also the subject of a television adaptation with Mr. Gambon in the starring role. Compare and contrast to follow.

Reference 2: https://psmv3.blogspot.com/2016/02/tree-of-life.html. A post from very early in the life of this volume of this blog.