288 pfant T^ore, "begc"?^/, aaei "bLjric/. 



to almost ensure happiness, and in the case of young girls a hus- 

 band very speedily. There is old couplet which records that — 



"If you find an even Ash-leaf or a four-leaved Clover, 

 You'll be bound to see your true love ere the day be over." 



In Scotland, the possessor of a piece of four-bladed Clover is 

 reputed to have a prescience when witchcraft is attempted to be 

 pracftised upon him ; and in the North of England this lucky leaf 

 is placed in dairies and stables, to preserve them from the spells of 

 witches. There is a Cornish fairy tale which is intimately asso- 

 ciated with the four-leaved Clover : — One evening a maiden set 

 out to milk the cows later than usual : indeed, the stars had begun 

 to shine before she completed her task. "Daisy" (an enchanted 

 cow), was the last to be milked, and the pail was so full that the 

 milk-maid could hardly lift it to her head. So to relieve herself, 

 she gathered some handfuls of Grass and Clover, and spread it on 

 her head in order to carry the milk-pail more easily. But no 

 sooner had the Clover touched her head, than suddenly hundreds 

 of little people appeared surrounding Daisy, dipping their tiny 

 hands into the milk, and gathering it with Clover-flowers, which 

 they sucked with gusto. Daisy was standing in the long Grass 

 and Clover, so some of these little creatures climbed up the stalks 

 and held out Buttercups, Convolvuluses, and Foxgloves, to catch 

 the milk which dropped from the cow's udder. When the as- 

 tonished milk-maid, upon reaching home, recounted her wonderful 

 experiences to her mistress, the good wife at once cried out : " Ah ! 



you put a four-leaved Clover on your head." To dream of seeing 



a field of Clover is of happy augury, indicating health, prosperity, 

 and much happiness. To the lover it foretells success, and that 



his intended wife will have great wealth. Clover is under the 



dominion of Venus. 



CLUB-MOSS.— The Stag's-horn, Fox's-tail, or Club-Moss 

 {Lycopodium clavaUim), is used in the North of England, Sweden, 

 and Germany, in wreaths worn on festive occasions. The powder 

 or dust which issues from its spore cases, is highly inflammable, 

 and is collected for fireworks and for producing stage lightning. 

 It is the Blitz-mehl, or lightning-meal of the Germans. The Fir 

 Club-Moss (L. Selago) is made by the Highlanders into an eye 

 ointment. In Cornwall, the Club-Moss is considered good against 

 all diseases of the eyes, provided only it is gathered in the following 

 manner : — On the third day of the moon, when it is seen for the first 

 time, show it the knife with which the Moss is to be cut, repeating 

 the while — 



" As Christ healed the issue of blood, 

 Do thou cut what thou cuttest for good." 



Then, at sundown, the Club-Moss may be cut by the operator 

 kneeling, and with carefully washed hands. The Moss is to be 

 tenderly wrapped in a fair white cloth, and afterwards boiled in 



