154 PLANTS AND PLANETS. [CHAP. 
thing to connect it with the gods and goddesses 
whose names the planets bear. Thus the Lady-fern 
would naturally be under the dominion of Venus, and 
all other plants would be equally under the care and 
protection of other planets. 
The perusal of one of the old “ Herbals,” which 
set forth the supposed virtues of plants, and from 
which our ancestors prepared their “simples,” affords 
considerable amusement to the modern botanist. 
One of the best known of these is “The English 
Physician, by Nicholas Culpepper, Gent., Student in 
Physic and Astrology,” a book which has doubtless 
been the means of killing many credulous persons in 
the past. The author classifies his plants in the sim- 
plest manner possible, alphabetically, and commences 
with the Woody Nightshade, which he terms Amara 
dulcts. | 
“Tt bears many leaves; they grow in no order at 
all, at least in no regular order. It is under the 
planet Mercury, and a notable herb of his also, if it 
be rightly gathered under his influence. It is excel- 
lent good to remove witchcraft both in man and 
beasts, as also all sudden diseases whatsoever. Being 
tied round about the neck, it is one of the admirablest 
remedies for the vertigo or dizziness in the head that 
is; and that is the reason (as Tragus saith) the 
people in Germany commonly hang it about their 
cattle’s necks, when they fear any such evil hath be- 
tided them.” Then follows a list of other ailments 
for which the plant is a sovereign remedy, and our 
astrologer remarks, “ And when you find good by 
this remember me.” 
