48 pPant T^ore, Tscgcl^b/, and. "bLjrlc/, 



In the Flax-fields of Flanders, there grows a plant called the 

 Roodselkcn, the red spots on the leaves of which betoken the 

 blood which fell on it from the Cross, and which neither rain 

 nor snow has since been able to wash off. In Cheshire a similar 

 legend is attached to the Orchis maculata, w^hich is there called 

 Gethsemane. 



" Those deep unwrought marks, 

 The villager will tell thee, 

 Are the flower's portion from the atoning blood 

 On Calvary shed. Beneath the Cross it grew." 



In Palestine there exists a notion that the red Anemone grew 

 at the foot of the Cross, and hence the flower bears the name of 

 the " Blood-drops of Christ." The Wood Sorrel is introduced in 

 their paintings of the Crucifixion by the early Italian painters, 

 perhaps as symbolizing the Trinity with its triple leaf. 



Whilst wearily bearing His Cross on the way to Calvary, 

 our Lord passed by the door of St. Veronica, who, with womanly 

 compassion, wiped with her kerchief the drops of agony from His 

 brow. The Redeemer's features remained miraculously impressed 

 on the linen, and from that time the flowers of the wayside Speed- 

 well have ever borne a representation of the precious relic. In 

 Brittany it is said that whilst Christ was bearing His Cross a little 

 robin took from His mocking crown one of the thorns, steeped in 

 His blood, which dyed the robin's breast ; henceforth the robin has 

 always been the friend of man. 



" Bearing His cross, while Christ passed forth forlorn, 

 His God-like forehead by the mock crown torn, 

 A little bird took from that crown one thorn, 

 To soothe the dear Redeemer's throbbing head, 

 That bird did what she could ; His blood, 'tis said, 

 Down dropping, dyed her bosom red."— ^ H. Abj-ahall. 



The early Spanish settlers of South America saw in the Flor 

 de las cinco llagas, the Flower of the Five Wounds, or Passion 

 Flower, a marvellous floral emblem of the mysteries of Christ's 

 Passion, and the Jesuits eagerly adopted it as likely to prove useful 

 in winning souls to their faith. 



An old legend, probably of monkish origin, recounts the emotions 

 of plants on the death of the Saviour of mankind. 



The Pine of Damascus said : — As a sign of mourning, from 

 this day my foliage will remain sombre, and I will dwell in solitary 

 places. 



The Willow of Babylon. — My branches shall henceforth incline 

 towards the waters of the Euphrates, and there shed the tears of 

 the East. 



The Vine of Sorrento. — My grapes shall be black, and the wine 

 that shall flow from my side shall be called Lacryma Christi. 



The Cypress of Carmel. — I will be the guest of the tombs, and 

 the testimony of grief. 



