24 



pfanC "bore, "beger^/, dnB. Tsijric/', 



Henna (Lawsonia alba), the flower of Paradise, is dedicated to 

 Mahomet, who characfterised it as the " chief of the flowers of this 

 world and the next." 



The Pomegranate-tree was highly reverenced both by the 

 Persians and the Jews. The fruit was embroidered on the hem of 

 Aaron's sacred robe, and adorned the robes of Persia's ancient 

 Priest-Kings. 



Pine-cones were regarded by the Assyrians as sacred symbols, 

 and as such were used in the decoration of their temples. 



In Teutonic and Scandinavian mythology the Rose is sacred 

 to Hulda, the Flax to Bertha, the Spignel to Baldr, and the Hair 

 Moss {Polytrichuni commune) is dedicated to Thor's wife, Sif. Of 

 the divinities after whom the days of the week were named, the 

 Sun has his special flower, the Moon her Daisy, Tyr [Tuesday) the 

 Tys-fiola or March Violet and the Mezereon ; Woden (Wednesday) 

 the Geranium sylvaticum (Odin's Favour) and the Monkshood (Odin's 

 Helm) ; Thor {Thursday) the Monkshood (Thor's Hat) and the 

 Burdock (Thor's Mantle) ; Frigg [Friday) and Freyja, wlio is often 

 confounded with her, had many plants dedicated to them, which 

 have since been transferred to Venus and the Virgin Mary, and 

 are not now recognised by the name of either of the Scandinavian 

 goddesses. In the North of Europe, however, the Supercilium 

 Veneris is still known as Freyja's Hair, and the perfumed Orchis 

 Gymnadenia conopsea as Frigg's Grass. Saeterne or Ssetere [Saturday), 

 the supposed name of an Anglo-Saxon god, is probably but a mere 

 adaptation of the Roman Saturnus. It may, perhaps, be apposite 

 to quote (for what it may be worth) Verstegan's statement that the 

 Saxons represented "Seater" as carrying a pail of water in which 

 were flowers and fruits, whereby " was declared that with kindly 

 raine he would nourish the earth to bring foorth such fruites and 

 flowers." 



In the Grecian and Roman mythology we find numerous trees 

 and flowers dedicated to the princip.al divinities. Thus, the 



Alder was dedicated to Neptune. 



