94 THE GLORY OF THE GARDEN 



be searched for and gathered, and will then display 

 its magic powers. 



" But on St. John's mysterious night, 

 Sacred to many a wizard spell, 

 The hour when first to human sight 

 Confest, the mystic Fern-seed fell." 



An old writer on this subject says: "The fern 

 flowers on Midsummer night at 12 o'clock and 

 drives away all unclean spirits. First of all, it puts 

 forth buds, which afterwards expand, and then 

 open, and finally change into flowers of a dark red 

 hue. At midnight the flower opens to its fullest 

 extent, and illuminates everything around. But 

 at that precise moment a demon plucks it from its 

 stalk. Whoever wishes to procure this flower 

 must be in the forest before midnight, locate him- 

 self near the fern, and trace a circle around it. When 

 the devil approaches and calls, feigning the voice 

 of a parent or sweetheart, no attention must be 

 paid, nor must the head be turned, for if it is, it 

 will remain so. 



" Whoever becomes the happy possessor of the 

 flower has nothing to fear: by its means, he can 

 recover lost treasure, become invisible, rule on 

 earth, and under water, and defy the devil." 



The fairies, commanded by their queen, and the 

 demons, commanded by Satan, engage in fierce 

 combats at this mysterious time for the possession 

 of the invisible seed. 



In many countries, before the break of day on 

 St. John's morning, the dew which has fallen on 

 vegetation is gathered with great care. This dew 

 is greatly renowned, for it purifies all the noxious 



