154 

 THE MISSELTOE, {VISCUM ALBUM.) 



BY J. Mc'lNTOSH^ ESQ, 



Historians inform us that tlie Druids esteemed nothing more sacred than 

 the Misseltoe, and it is well-known that they delighted in groves of Oaks, 

 and performed no sacred rite without branches of the monarch of the forest, 

 and from hence seems to be derived their name of Druids; they considered 

 that whatever grew upon the Oak was sent from heaven, and as a sign that 

 the tree was the chosen one of God himself. The Misseltoe was very difficult 

 to be found, even by the Druids, on the Oak, and when so discovered, was 

 gathered with the most pompous religious ceremonies, particularly at the sixth 

 day of the moon, because that orb of night was then supposed to possess 

 extraordinary powers. The sacrifice and feast being duly prepared under the 

 tree, they led thither two white bulls, whose horns were bound for the first 

 time. It is a singular coincidence of circumstances, that bulls perfectly white 

 were sacrificed by the Egyptians to Apis: when such an animal Avas found 

 unblemished, and without a single black hair, the priest laid a fillet about 

 his horns, and sealed it with the signet of his ring; it being a capital crime 

 to sacrifice one of these animals except it was thus marked, (see Herodotus,) 

 The priest, clothed in a white' vestment, ascending the tree, cut off" the 

 Misseltoe with a golden bill, and received it in a white cloth, on the ground. 

 It was then dipped in water by the chief Druid, and then distributed amongst 

 the people, as a preservative against witchcraft and disease. They then slew 

 the victims, invoking the favour of the Deity on the offering. When the 

 sacrifice was over, the berries of this plant were taken by the ovate, the 

 physicians of the tribe, and converted to medical purposes. Sir John Colbach 

 published a dissertation, in 1720, on the efficacy of the Misseltoe against 

 sundry diseases of the nervous system ; and it would appear from the directions 

 given by Sir John, that it was to him a common occurrence to find the 

 Misseltoe growing on the Oak, Even in the present time, in country places, 

 it is supposed to cure diseases, etc., in cattle; and it has been stated, that 

 if eaten in a dried state by cows in calf, it will cause abortion; we have 

 heard a farmer assert that he lost ten calves from his cows havin"- eaten 

 of some dried Misseltoe, which had been thrown into the yard, from the house, 

 by the servants. It is in some respects with medicine as it is with 

 fashions, what is deemed of high value in one age, is discontinued in the next; 

 such is the fate of the Misseltoe; but to our subject: it was known to the 

 Greeks and Eomans, who valued it chiefly for its medicinal qualities, and 

 more especially as an antidote to poisons. The Persian magi gathered the 

 Misseltoe with great care, and used it in their religious ceremonies. 



It has been supposed by some writers, to have been the forbidden tree in 

 the garden of Eden; for or against this opinion, at this distance of time, we 

 can say nothing. In the feudal ages it was gathered with great solemnity 



