1go1-1902.] The Folk-Lore of Natural History. 343 
which it roamed at pleasure. The keepers said that when they saw the 
rabbit going to one particular hole they had learned that they might pre- 
pare for a south-west gale. 
I have previously mentioned how common was the belief 
in witches, and it is but natural that we should look for some 
antidote to their power to do mischief. Hence we have the 
rhyme,— 
“ Rowan tree and red thread 
Mak’ the witches tyne their speed.” 
Among the Highlanders of Scotland the virtue of the rowan 
tree is in the highest repute even at the present day. The 
mountain ash is considered by them the most propitious of 
trees, and in fishing-boats a pin of this wood for fastening the 
halliard to has been held of indispensable necessity. Sprigs 
of mountain ash in diseases of cattle, &c., are considered a 
sovereign remedy. 
The peculiar circular growths of fungi which occur some- 
time in old pasture-land are familiar to all field naturalists. 
These were called fairy rings, and husbandmen used to avoid 
with superstitious reverence to till or destroy these circlets of 
bright green grass, which are believed to be the favourite 
ball-rooms of the fairies; for, according to the appropriate 
rhyme,— 
‘“* He wha tills the fairies’ green 
Nae luck again shall hae ; 
And he wha spills the fairies’ ring, 
Betid him want and wae. 
For weirdless days and weary nichts 
Are his till his deein’ day.” 
Whereas by the same authority,— 
‘He wha gaes by the fairy ring 
Nae dule nor pine shall see ; 
And he wha cleans the fairy ring 
An easy death shall dee.” 
There are many other topics which I have necessarily left 
untouched, for I fear I have already trespassed too long on 
your time, and I feel I have done but faint justice to a sub- 
ject which, for me at least, has a peculiar fascination, and 
which a skilful pen would render of more than passing 
interest. For the range of scientific knowledge is ever 
VOL. IV. 2B 
