122 THE GLORY OF THE GARDEN 



" Fairy Petticoats.'' It was said that the elves were 

 always supposed to dress in green, but evidently 

 that applies only to their outside apparel, and there 

 seems no reason at all why they should not have 

 gay petticoats. In Ireland, the foxglove is known 

 as " Fairy Bells," and also " Fairy Gloves." Then, 

 again, in their more serious moments, the elves are 

 industrious enough to mend their clothes, and in 

 the foxglove we find the fairy thimbles. 



When it bends its tall stalks the foxglove is 

 making its obeisance to the little people, or pre- 

 paring to receive some small elf who wishes to hide 

 himself in the safe retreat afforded by its accommo- 

 dating bells. 



On account of its connection with the fairies, the 

 name is thought originally to have been the " Fairy 

 Folk's Glove," the present name of " Foxglove " 

 being a shortened corruption. 



In Ireland, the Ragwort is specially dedicated to 

 the fairies, and just as witches delight to ride on the 

 broom and the thorn, so the fairy gallops about at 

 night on this golden flower. 



*' Her chariot is an empty hazel-nut, 



Made by the joiner squirrel, or old grub, 

 Time out of mind the fairies' coach-builder." 



^he Four-leaved Clover is the only plant that will 

 enable its wearer to see the fairies; it is a magic 

 talisman whereby to gain admittance to the fairy 

 kingdom. 



There is a Cornish fairy tale intimately associated 

 with the four-leaved clover which runs thus: One 

 evening a maiden set out to milk the cows later than 

 usual; indeed, the stars had begun to shine before 



