120 THE FOLK-LORE OF PLANTS. [CHAP. 
The roots and flowers of Violets, in addition to 
curing a large number of complaints, would moderate 
anger, and comfort and strengthen the heart. But 
here is a prescription from an Anglo-Saxon Herbal 
against that rarity, a talkative woman: “ Against a 
woman’s chatter, taste at night, fasting, a root of 
radish ; that day the chatter cannot harm thee.” 
The St. John’s Wort was, and is still in some parts 
of the country, gathered on the eve of St. John the 
Baptist, and hung over windows and doors to keep 
out all evil spirits, and shield the inmates from storms 
and all other calamities. 
Speaking of the Holly, Culpepper tells us: “ Pliny 
saith, The branches of the tree defend houses from 
lightning, and men from witchcraft.” 
All plants with the leaf divided into three, as in 
the Clover and Wood Sorrel, were potent against all 
manner of evil. It was a type of the Trinity, three 
inone. But a clover-leaf divided into four was of 
far more importance. “If a man walking in the 
fields finds any four-leaved grass, he shall in a short 
whilé after, finde some good thing.” Such leaves 
were good for cattle, but very bad for witches and 
others of the same profession. 
An old author tells us that “the wort that one 
names betonicum is produced in meadows and on 
clean soils ; it is good for man’s soul and for his body; 
it shields him against monstrous nocturnal visitors, 
and against horrible visions and dreams,” The same 
author, speaking of the Mullein, says: “A twig of this 
plant borne by any one is a charm against frights or 
hurts from any wild beast, or any evil coming near.” 
