YELLOW 



farmer wishes it had remained where it rightfully belongs — on 

 the other side of the water. 



Perhaps more superstitions have clustered about the St. John's- 

 wort than about any other plant on record. It was formerly 

 gathered on St. John's eve, and was hung at the doors and win- 

 dows as a safeguard against thunder and evil spirits. A belief 

 prevailed that on this night the soul had power to leave the body 

 and visit the spot where it would finally be summoned from its 

 earthly habitation, hence the all-night vigils which were observed 

 at that time. 



"The wonderful herb whose leaf will decide 

 If the coming year shall make me a bride," 



is the St. John's-wort, and the maiden's fate is favorably forecast 

 by the healthy growth and successful blossoming of the plant 

 which she has accepted as typical of her future. 



In early times poets and physicians alike extolled its proper- 

 ties. An ointment was made of its blossoms, and one of its early 

 names was '' balmof-the-warrior's-wound." It was considered 

 so efficacious a remedy for melancholia that it was termed " fuga 

 daemonum." Very possibly this name gave rise to the general 

 idea that it was powerful in dispelling evil spirits. 



The pale St. John's-wort, H. ellipticum, has thin, spreading, 

 oval leaves which are set close to the stem, and pale yellow flowers, 

 about half an inch broad. 



The spotted St. John's-wort, H. maculaftwt, may be identi- 

 fied by its slender blossoms and copiously black-dotted, oblong 

 leaves. 



The Canadian St. John's-wort, H. Catiadense^ has linear, 

 three-nerved leaves and small flowers with from five to twelve 

 stamens only. It grows abundantly in wet, sandy places. 



The dwarf St. John's-wort, H. mutilum, has even smaller 

 blossoms, with from five to twelve stamens also, and narrowly 

 oblong or ovate leaves, which are five-nerved and partly clasping. 

 This is abundant in low grounds everywhere. 



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