2 5G FLORA HISTORICA. 



The Vervain played a considerable part in the 

 impositions which were practised upon the cre- 

 dulous in ancient times, and hence it is so fre- 

 quently mentioned in profane history. The Magi 

 of the ancient Elamites or Persians made great use 

 of this plant in their worship or adoration of the 

 sun, always carrying branches of it in their hands 

 when they approached the altar. The magicians 

 also employed the Vervain in their pretended divi- 

 nations, and affirmed that by smearing the body 

 over with the juice of this plant, the person would 

 obtain whatever he set his heart upon, and be 

 enabled to reconcile the most inveterate enemies, 

 make friends with whom he pleased, gain the 

 affections, and cure the diseases of whom he listed. 

 AVhen they cut this plant it was always done when 

 neither the sun or moon was visible, and they 

 poured honey and honeycomb on the earth as an 

 atonement for robbing it of so precious an herb. 



The Greeks called it Is^aCorsiv/;, the Sacred 

 Herb, and it was with this plant only that they 

 cleansed the festival table of Jupiter before any 

 great solemnity took place ; and hence, according 

 to Pliny, the name of Verbena is derived. It was 

 also one of the plants which was dedicated to the 

 Goddess of Beauty. Venus the Victorious wore a 

 crown of Myrtle interwoven with Vervain. 



The Romans continued the use of this plant in 



