~ tJ BIOFXIA. 



increased in size,, but are less viscous, They are driedj 

 ihen pounded and steeped in water for about twelve 

 days to putrify. Afterwards they are put into ran- 

 ning water and pounded, by which the pulp becomes 

 clammy. When this is used to ensnare birds, by en- 

 tangling their feathers, it is mixed up with walnut 

 oil. Nor must we, on this subject, omit to mention 

 the admiration of this plant shewn by the people of 

 the Gallic provinces. 



" The Druids (so they term their Priests) hold 

 nothing more sacred than the misseltoe, and the tree 

 on which it is produced, if it be an oak. Hence they 

 choose thick groves of Oak, and perform no sacred 

 rites without this bough. (So that, by interpreting 

 the greek, they appear to derive their name, Druid, 

 from this circumstance.) Indeed whatever grows 

 upon the oak they consider as sent from heaven, and 

 as a sign that the tree is adopted by the Deity himself. 

 It is however very rarely found upon it, and when 

 discovered is procured with much superstitious reve- 

 rence ; and especially on the sixth day of the moon, 

 which with them makes the beginning of their 

 months and years, and after the thirtieth year, of their 

 aoe; because the moon is then supposed to have ac- 

 quired sufficient strength, and at the same time not 

 completed its half orb/ Great virtues are attributed 



z The calculation of the Druids, agreeable to this statement, 

 shews that they considered the moon to have arrived at half 

 her age in seven days, being the midway between the change 

 and full. It is also curious to observe, that their age nearly 



