SEPTEMBER. 407 



tortuous Elder-tree, scraggy Elms, and green horse- 

 pond by the road side attracts passing notice, we can 

 scarcely help adverting to those wayfaring or " domes- 

 tic plants," as they have been termed, that scarcely 

 wild ai; all, doggedly stick to the skirts of mankind, 

 as if they had still some claim upon his notice, though 

 now almost entirely discarded. Such is the once 

 consecrated Vervain, of druidical fame,* always to be 

 found in the vicinity of civilization, lifting its wands 

 of pale purple flowers; such the Black Nightshade 

 (Solanum nigrum), Catmint (Nepeta cataria), with its 

 hoary leaves, the monstrous Thorn-Apple (Datura 

 Stramonium) conspicuous with its white funnel-shaped 

 plaited corolla and spinous fruit, the viscid Henbane 

 (Hyoscyamus niger), its curving branches now thickly 



* MILLER has observed that the Vervain (Verbena officinalis), is scarcely 

 found a quarter of a mile from any house, and from this circumstance was 

 called the " Simpler's" or Herbalist's "joy." It was of old a sacred herb, 

 honoured by the Magi among the Persians and the Druids among the Celts, 

 and one of those plants of enchantment that counteracted the spells of witches 

 when with " wicked herbs and ointments," as SPENSER says, they bereaved the 

 senses of those they were inimical to. Hence TURNER says in his blacke let- 

 ter Herbal" They call it Hierobotane, that is an holy herbe, because it is 

 very good for to be hanged upon men, agaynst inchantementes, and to purify or 

 clenge wyth all." So PENNANT says that it bears with the Welsh the signifi- 

 cant name of Cas gan Gytlirael, or the Demon's aversion. In druidical 

 times the plant was cut in darkness, and so gathered, many magical properties 

 were attributed to it, but especially was it considered to keep off evil spirits ; 

 and used among the Romans for its supposed purifying properties, holy water 

 being sprinkled with its branches. The reputation of Vervain must have 

 long continued, for in an old English MS. published in the Archceologia, it is 

 stated that whoso " berytb it up " in his hands, shall " have love of grete 

 maystrys," and none shall refuse his asking, but grant him with good will 

 " what he wele." This power " the sacred herb" seems now to have lost, but 

 it is still collected to make purifying infusions and decoctions, and I have seen 

 a pamphlet detailing " cases" of astonishing cures made by its use. Those 

 that believe it is not entirely used up, will still give a good price for bundles 

 of the plant. 



" O who can tell 



The hidden powre of herbes, and might of Magick Spell." 



Spenser. 



