pfant Isorc, "beger^t)/, aa3. ]<9ijnc/. 30 1 



CUMIN. — According to Theophrastus, the ancients were ac- 

 custonied to sow the seed of Cumin (Cuminuni Cyminum), with an ac- 

 companiment of oaths and maledidtions, just as they were wont to 

 do in the case of Basil : this singular custom was probably some 

 form of incantation, to preserve this highly-reverenced plant from 

 the dreaded effects of the Evil Eye, and to cause it to flourish well. 

 Among the Greeks, Cumin symbolised meanness and cupidity : the 

 people nicknamed Marcus Antoninus, Cumin, on account of his 

 avarice ; and misers were jokingly spoken of as persons who had 



eaten Cumin. The plant appears to have been regarded as 



specially possessing the power of retention. Thus in Germany, 

 in order to prevent newly-made bread from being stolen by Wood- 

 demons, the loaves had Cumin put in them. In Italy, a similar 

 custom prevails ; and in some places it is supposed that the Cumin 

 possesses the power of keeping the thief in the house along with the 

 bread which he wished to steal. In some parts of Italy they give 

 Cumin to pigeons in order to make them tame and fond of their 

 home ; and Cumin mixed with flour and water is given to fowls 

 with the same objecfl;. Country lasses also endeavour to make their 

 lovers swallow it, in order to ensure their continued attachment and 

 fidelity. Or, if the lover is going to serve as a soldier, or has ob- 

 tained work in a distant part of the country, his sweetheart gives 

 him a newly-made loaf seasoned with Cumin, or, perhaps, a cup 

 of wine in which Cumin has been previously powdered and mixed. 



The ancients were acquainted with the power of Cumin to 



cause the human countenance to become pallid, and Pliny mentions 

 two cases in which the herb was so employed. 



CURRANT. — According to the Iranian legend of the Crea- 

 tion, the first human couple, Maschia and Maschiana, issued from 

 a Currant-bush. At first there was only one Currant-bush, but 

 in process of time the one bush became separated into two. To 

 these two plants Ormuzd, the Iranian supreme deity, imparted 

 a soul, and thus from the Currant-bushes issued the first two 



human beings. To dream of Currants denotes happiness in life, 



success in your undertakings, constancy in your sweetheart, and 



to the farmer and tradesman riches. The Currant-tree is under 



the influence of Venus. 



CYCLAMEN. — The Greeks had several names for the 

 Cyclamen, and the Romans also distinguished it by a variety of 

 titles, as Tuber terra and Terra rapum, from its Turnip-like root, 

 Panis Porcinus, Orbicularis, Arthanita,a.nd Cyclamen, on account of the 

 roundness of its root. It was called Sow-bread and Swine-bread 

 because, in countries where it is abundant, it forms the chief food 



of herds of swine. This plant was formerly regarded as a most 



potent assistant by midwives, and it was recommended to them 

 by the surgeons of the day. The peculiar shape of its root was in 

 itself suggestive of its employment by these good women, and the 



