MAGICAL PLANTS 95 



plants, and imparts to certain others a fabulous 

 power. 



By some it is treasured because it is believed to 

 preserve the eyes from all harm during the succeed- 

 ing year, and others say that the dev^ is reputed 

 to renew the roots of the hair on the baldest of 

 heads ! 



There seems to be more plant magic woven round 

 Midsummer Day than is connected with any other 

 one particular date. Take, for instance, the fern 

 seed, and then the St. John's Wort. Legend tells 

 us that if after sunset on St. John's Eve (June 23) 

 you should happen to step on this plant, a fairy horse 

 will arise out of the ground, who will carry you 

 gloriously all through the night, to leave you, 

 wherever you might happen to be, when the first 

 ray of the rising sun strikes the world. It might 

 be rather awkward if your fairy steed should see 

 fit to deposit you several miles from your work. 



In days of old it was the custom of timorous 

 folk to gather pieces of St. John's Wort at midnight 

 on St. John's Eve, as it was said that this plant, 

 hung over the doorway of dwelling-places, would 

 effectually exclude all fairy and elfin visitors. 



The St. John's Wort is said to be a plant 

 thoroughly detested by witches, who are heartily 

 scared when in its neighbourhood: 



" St. John's Wort, scaring from the midnight heath 

 The witch and goblin, with its spicy breath." 



In former times this plant was also known as 

 Sol terrestris, the terrestrial sun, because it was 

 believed that all the spirits of darkness vanish at 

 the approach of the sun; and also St. John's Day 



