A BOTANICAL RAMBLE ON THE SEA COAST. 63 



the kingdom;" but it has been ascertained that about Stratford, the fruit 

 of the Bubus ccesius is well known as the 'Dewberry.' 



By the side of the ditch, a handsome group of the bright pink flowers of 

 the Ejnlobium hisiitum, (Great Hairy Willow-herb,) nearly six feet in height. 

 Its generic name is from epi — upon, and lohos — a podj the flower being 

 placed upon the top of the elongated seed-vessel. It is very commonly called 

 "codlings and cream," from the resemblance of the smell of the top shoots 

 to that of scalded codlings. Following the course of the ditch, we gathered 

 specimens of Apium graveoletis, (Wild Celery,) Anthriscus sylvestris, (Smooth 

 Cow Parsley,) Equisetum limosum, (Smooth Naked Horsetail,) etc. 



Clearing the ditch by a good running jump, we got into a long "Devonshire 

 lane," where the Vervain, (Verbena officinalis^) grew abundantly, with its 

 spike of pretty pale blue flowers, opening three or four at a time on each 

 spike. It is very abundant in England, growing everywhere by road-sides 

 and waste places. Pliny tells us the Vervain was made use of by the Druids 

 in casting lots, in drawing omens, and in other magical arts; and Borlase, 

 in his "Antiquities of Cornwall," page 91, speaking of the Druids, says, 

 "They were excessively fond, of the Wervaine;' they used it in casting lots, 

 foretelling events, etc. It was to be gathered at rise of the dog-star, but so 

 as neither sun nor moon be at that time above the earth to see it;" "and 

 with this charge," adds Miss Pratt in "Flowers and their Associations," 

 "that before they take up the hearbe, they bestow upon the ground where 

 it groweth honey with the combs, in token of satisfaction and amends for 

 the wrong and violence done in depriving her of so holy a hearbe." It was 

 once called "Holy Herb;" and the Greeks and Eomans used it at their 

 religious festivals, and sent it by their ambassadors in treaties of peace. — 



"A wrcatli of vervaiu heralds wear." 



Draytox. 



The power of keeping away evil spirits is attributed to the Vervain in 

 Ireland, as well as to the St. John's Wort, mentioned in a former paper, 

 and also in Scotland, for Meg Merrilies says, — 



"Trefoil, vervain, John's wort, dill, 

 Iliuders witches of their will." 



In Ireland, when it is pulled by village doctors, when the dew is on the 

 ground, these lines are generally repeated: — 



"Vervaiu, thou gi-owest on holy ground, 

 In Mount Calvary thou wort found; 

 Thou curest all sores and all diseases: 

 And in the name of Holy Jesus, 

 I pull you out of the ground." 



Ben Jonson also makes mention of it. — ■ 



"Bring your garlands, and with reverence place 

 The vervain on the altar." 



