FLOWERS OF THE SAINTS 143 



in so doing tore the saving leek leaf and fell back 

 again, and sank deeper than before. 



The daisy, as Herb Margaret, is popularly supposed 

 to be dedicated to " Margaret that was so meek and 

 mild." 



The poppy also belongs to St. Margaret, as legend 

 tells us that poppies sprang from the blood of the 

 dragon slain by St. Margaret: 



" And poppies a sanguine mantle spread 



For the blood of the dragon St. Margaret shed." 



Nigella Damascena (Love-in-a-mist), whose in- 

 florescence spreads out rather like the spokes of a 

 wheel, was called St. Katharine's flower, after 

 St. Katharine, who suffered martyrdom on a wheel. 



Angelica archangelica was said to have had its 

 virtues revealed by an angel in a dream. It is 

 specially under the patronage of St. Michael, and, 

 as may be imagined, it is particularly useful as a 

 protection against evil spirits. 



The name of canterbury bells was given to the 

 campanula in honour of St. Thomas of England, 

 and in allusion probably to the horse-bells of the 

 pilgrims to his shrine. 



To St. Agnes the Christmas rose, with its delicate 

 white flowers, was dedicated, and most appropriately, 

 since she is the patron of purity. 



Of St. John the Baptist, and the miraculous flowers 

 of midsummer dedicated to him, much has already 

 been written in Chapters IV. and XI. The scarlet 

 lychnis used to be called the " Great Candlestick " 

 {Candelabrum tngens), and was said to be lighted up 

 for St. John the Baptist, who *' was a burning and a 

 shining light." 



