ON THE MISSELTOE. ^ 387 



the /Eneid, above quoted* It appears that a tumulus had been opened 

 at Gristhorpe, in which some human bones were found. " Since the 

 opening of the tumulus at Gristhorpe, the human bones found in the 

 coffin have been articulated by two medical men in Scarborough, and 

 now form a superb skeleton, about six feet in height, and, except 

 two or three of the smallest phalanges, perfect in all its parts. Near 

 the entrance into the museum, a sarcophagus has been erected 

 for the protection of the rude coffin. Some of the substance found in 

 the coffin,resembling decomposed rushes, has been macerated, and when 

 expanded, presents the long lanceolate leaf of the Misseltoe, which has 

 doubtless been placed there in observance of some religious custom. 

 There is every reason to suppose that the person was a hunting chieftain 

 of the powerful tribe of the Brigantes, before the invasion of the 

 Romans drove them from their peaceful mode of life." 



The Misseltoe, as we have seen, was considered by the Druids to be 

 a remedy for all diseases. Its virtues as a medicine were no less cele- 

 brated in later times, and it has been variously employed in epilepsy, 

 in apoplexy, in giddiness, and other diseases. Ray observes ; — 



"Ligni hujus usus est praecipuns & specificus in Epilepsia, praescribitur 

 etiam contra Apoplexiam & Vertiginem turn intus epotum, turn vero collo appensum 

 Quibus in morbis multum preestare Viscum medicorum turn veterum, turn 

 recentiorum unanimis est sententia : contusum & aquis convenientibus maceratum 

 pueris verminantibus egregio effectu suasu suo propinari solitum scribit J. B. 

 (i. «. Joannes Bauhinus)"* 



For these purposes the Misseltoe of the oak was the most esteemed ; and 

 when this could not be obtained, that of the hazel. f In modern times, 

 however, its medical reputation has dwindled into insignificance ; and 

 the only real use to which it has been applied is the making of bird 

 lime. In this process the berries are boiled in a small portion of 

 vegetable oil, and their glutinous properties render them well adap ted 

 to the purpose. 



Its chief employment, however, in the present day, is in conjunction 

 with the evergreen and scarlet-berried holly, to decorate the houses 

 during the winter months, — a custom which, as it appears from tradi- 

 tional accounts, has arisen from an old superstition that o'er the threshold 

 where the Holly and the Misseltoe are found, there no evil spirit dares^ 

 to tread. We need not remind the society that in the halls of many an 

 ancient mansion, and in the kitchens of our yeomanry, nay sometimes 

 also in the drawing-rooms of the learned and the wise, the Misseltoe 

 bush is still hung up to grace the festivities of a season in which 

 families and friends are accustomed to unite around the social hearth. 

 Asa harbinger of this period of kindly intercourse, now that all super- 

 stitious feeling is long since gone by, we cannot hesitate to say 



" Welcome here ! 

 Bring the hallow'd Misseltoe, 

 Shake aloft the holly bough, 

 Bid the wood fire brighter glow ; 

 Hail new year." 



* Rail Syn. p. 464. t Hem. 



