336 



astringent and rather bitter taste, and " strong extracts made from them are 

 nauseous, bitterish, and sub-austere." (Lewis's Mat. Medica, p. 575.) The 

 berries are reputed to act as a purgative, and are even now sometimes given to 

 sheep for this purpose. 



In Prussia in times of great scarcity the branches and leaves of the Mistletoe 

 have been used, says Bock (Nat. His. of Prussia, Vol. iii. p. 367) powdered and 

 mixed with rye flour, to make bread, which is by no means unwholesome. In this 

 County before turnips were so abundantly grown, the plant used regularly to be 

 given to sheep in frosty or snowy weather. 



" If snowe do continue, sheepe hardly that fare 

 Crave mistle and ivie for them for to spare." 



(Tusser's Husbandry.) 



There can be no question, however, that the chief virtue ascribed to Mistle 

 toe from the Oak by the Druids was the " fructifying quality," as Taliesin has it, 

 or of giving " fertility to all animals " as described by Pliny ; and it was for this 

 virtue, when worn as an amulet, or when drunk in infusion, that the sprig of 

 Mistletoe was so anxiously sought from the hands of the Arch-Druid on the New 

 year's day festival. It is always necessary to remember this in endeavouring 

 to trace down the domestic history of the Mistletoe in succeeding ages. It ex- 

 plains fully the personal hold it had gained in the esteem of the people — and its 

 continued private use in spite of all opposition. Though books ceased to mention 

 it, tradition would perpetuate its use, and it will be shewn presently to have done 

 so, even to our day. 



This peculiar virtue may perhaps serve to explain some points with regard 

 to it, which have not been otherwise satisfactorily accounted for. " In one of 

 Colepeper's MSS. at the British Museum in a curious notice of Sir Peter Fresch- 

 ville's house at Stavely, Derbyshire, is this passage: " Heare my Lord Frssch- 

 ville did live, and heare grows the famous Mistletoe tree, the only oake in Eng- 

 land that bears ilistletoe, * and to this tree the following letter from The Countess 

 of Danby to Mrs. Colepeper probably refers. It is without date, but was WTitten 

 between the years 1663 and 1682. 



" Dear Cozen, 



Pray if you have any of the Miselto of yor fathers oke, oblidge 

 me so far as to send sum of it to 



yor most affectionat servant 



Bridget Danby." 



(N. & Q. Vol. vii. p. 119., ist s.) 



Let us hope that the Countess's desires were fulfilled in all respects ! 



" The remains of the Oak still exist, and the Mistletoe was there in 1803, but it has long 

 since disappeared. 



