ilfte pPant/ of gt. ^oftn. 51 



person, causes the wearer to be feared as much as fire. Another 

 herb which should be gathered on St. John's Eve is the Hieracium 

 Pilosella, called in Germany Johannisblut (blood of St. John) : it 

 brings good-luck, but must be uprooted with a gold coin. 



In many countries, before the break of day on St. John's morn- 

 ing, the dew which has fallen on vegetation is gathered with great 

 care. This dew is justly renowned, for it purifies all the noxious 

 plants and imparts to certain others a fabulous power. By some 

 it is treasured because it is believed to preserve the eyes from all 

 harm during the succeeding year. In Venetia the dew is reputed 

 to renew the roots of the hair on the baldest of heads. It is 

 collected in a small phial, and a herb called Basilica is placed in it. 

 In Normandy and the Pyrenees it is used as a wash to purify 

 the skin ; in Brittany it is thought that, thus used, it will drive 

 away fever ; and in Italy, Roumania, Sweden, and Iceland it is 

 believed to soften and beautify the complexion. In Egypt the 

 nucta or miraculous drop falls before sunrise on St. John's Day, 

 and is supposed to have the effect of stopping the plague. In 

 Sicily they gather the Hypericum perforatum, or Herb of St. John, 

 and put it in oil, which is by this means transformed into a balm 

 infallible for the cure of wounds. 



In Spain garlands of flowers are plucked in the early morn 

 of St. John's Day, before the dew has been dried by the sun, 

 and a favourite wether is decked with them, the village lasses 

 singing— 



" Come forth, come forth, my maidens, we'll gather Myrtle boughs. 



And we shall learn from the dews of the Fern if our lads will keep their vows : 

 If the wether be still, as we dance on the hill, and the dew hangs sweet on the 



flowers, 

 Then we'll kiss off the dew, for our lovers are true, and the Baptist's blessing 



is ours." 



The populace of Madrid were long accustomed, on St. John's Eve, 

 to wander about the fields in search of Vervain, from a super- 

 stitious notion that this plant possesses preternatural powers when 

 gathered at twelve o'clock on St. John's Eve. 



In some parts of Russia the country people heat their baths 

 on the Eve of St. John and place in them the herb Kunalnitza 

 {Ranunculus) ; in other parts they place herbs, gathered on the same 

 anniversary, upon the roofs of houses and stables, as a safeguard 

 against evil spirits. The French peasantry rub the udders of their 

 cows with similar herbs, to ensure plenty of milk, and place them 

 over the doorways of cattle sheds and stables. 



On the Eve of St. John, Lilies, Orpine, Fennel, and every 

 variety of Hypericum are hung over doors and windows. Garlands 

 of Vervain and Flax are also suspended inside houses ; but the 

 true St. John's garland is composed of seven elements, namely 

 white Lilies, green Birch, Fennel, Hypericum, Wormwood, and 

 the legs of game birds : these are believed to have immense power 



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