96 THE GLORY OF THE GARDEN 



falls on the summer solstice, June 24, the last 

 of the three days which mark the culminating point 

 of the solar ascension; the day when in some latitudes 

 the sun never sets, and the heavens are illuminated 

 and radiant with its glory all through the night. 



Some few plants, like the well-known sesame 

 of the " Arabian Nights," are credited with the 

 power of opening doors and obtaining an entry 

 into subterranean caverns and mountain-sides. 



The mistletoe, in addition to its miraculous 

 medicinal virtues, possesses the power of opening 

 all locks, as have also the artemisia, the vervain, 

 and the mandrake. 



The Magic Wand and Divining Rod. 



The employment of magic wands and staffs 

 was in vogue among the ancient Egyptians and 

 Chaldeans, who imparted the knowledge of this 

 system of divination to the Hebrews dwelling among 

 them. 



Thus we find the prophet Hosea says : " My people 

 ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth 

 unto them." Rhabdomancy, or divination by 

 means of a rod, was practised by the ancient Greeks 

 and Romans, and the art was known in England, 

 though now it is almost forgotten. In China and 

 Eastern lands the art still flourishes, and various 

 kinds of plants and trees are employed, the 

 principal being the hazel, osier, and blackthorn. 



The Druids used to cut their divining |rods from 

 the apple tree. In competent hands, the golden 

 rod is said to point to hidden springs of water, as 

 well as to hidden treasures of gold and silver. 



