CHAP. vi.] THE FOLK-LORE OF PLANTS. 117 
of a vivid green; the parts within the ring, in con- 
sequence of former exhaustion, looking dry and 
parched, and those beyond less luxuriant from com- 
parative want of manure. Thus, year after year, the 
ring increases in diameter till it attains dimensions 
of many yards across.” * 
Who was the miscreant that altered the popular 
orthography of Digitalis purpurea from Folk’s-glove 
to Foxglove? With that alteration all the poetry 
and the associations of fairyland were taken from 
the name. True, it is still the noblest of our native 
flowers, and one that will ever be a favourite with 
all; but it was the flower which supplied the fairies 
with gloves—delicately-tinted silken coverings fit for 
the hands of such dainty folk—hence Folk’s-glove. 
It is notable that in the myths and superstitions of 
Natural History the animals are mostly credited with 
evil or other repulsive powers, but the plants undo 
the evils wrought by witches, warlocks, and others 
practising the Black Art. Time was when almost 
every plant had some marvellous properties attri- 
buted to it; and in the old herbals of a few centuries 
ago a long list of “virtues” was appended to each 
name. As a rule, one plant would cure at least a 
score of ills, and the only wonder is that in those 
good old days folks ever were ill a day, or ever died. 
But it is with the more supernatural aspect of their 
powers we have now to deal. 
It is not remarkable that the Fern was considered 
to produce invisible seed, seeing how exceedingly 
minute are the spores they bear; but in addition to 
* Berkeley. 
