io6 THE GLORY OF THE GARDEN 



are about, will be seized with an irresistible desire to 

 count the leaves, and these being so very numerous 

 they are sure to become impatient, and take them- 

 selves off in high dudgeon, without entering the 

 house. 



7he Rozvan^ or Mountain Ash, is the dread of 

 witches, and they will go nowhere near it, as we see 

 from the following couplet: 



" Rowan-tree and red thread 

 Put the Witches to their speed." 



A piece of rowan wood carried in the pocket 

 acts as a charm against all ill wishes, and small 

 branches suspended over a cow's stall and wreathed 

 around her horns, vdll guard her from the effects 

 of the evil eye, and keep her in good health, more 

 especially if her owner does not forget to repeat 

 regularly this prayer: 



" From Witches and Wizards, and long-tailed Buzzards, 

 And creeping things that run in hedge-bottoms, 

 Good Lord, deliver us !" 



The witch who is touched by a branch of this 

 tree by a christened man will be the victim carried 

 off by the devil when he comes to claim his tribute. 

 This tribute is alluded to in the ballad of joung 

 Tamlave : 



" Oh pleasant is the fairyland, 

 And happy there to dwell; 

 But aye, at every seven years' end. 

 We pay a teind to hell." 

 * 



In some of the old legends, the ash is joined with 

 the rowan as one of the plants which hold witches 

 and devils in dread, and it was said to resist all 



