568 pPant "Isore, Iseger^t)/, aael "l^Ljrlc/". 



plant, and the Raskolniks call it the Herb of the Devil, and make 

 offerings of it to appease " genis, spirits, and demons of the 



forest." Until the time of Peter the Great, the use of Tobacco 



was forbidden in Russia, and those who transgressed the law had 

 their noses split, 



TREACLE-MUSTARD.— The names of French Mustard, 

 Treacle-Mustard, and Treacle Worm-seed were given to the Erysi- 

 mum cheiranthoides , the two last because, in mediaeval times, the seed 

 of this plant formed one of the seventy-three ingredients of the 

 far-famed " Venice treacle," a noted antidote to all poisons, believed 

 to cure "all those that were bitten or stung of venomous beastes, or 

 had drunk poisons, or were infected with the pestilence." The 

 origin of this counter-poison was the famous Mithridaticum, a pre- 

 paration invented by Mithridates, king of Pontus. Andromachus 

 added to this comparatively simple compound other ingredients, 

 and especially vipers ; changing, on that account, the name to 

 Theriaca (from the Greek thenon, a small animal). Dr. Prior tells 

 us that this remedy, which was known in England originally as 

 Triacle, was the source of many popular tales of sorcerers eating 

 poison, and was retained in the London Pharmacopoeia till about 

 a century ago. 



TREFOIL. — Among the Romans, the Grass crown made of 

 Trefoil-leaves was esteemed a mark of very high honour. (See 

 Clover and Shamrock). 



TROLL-FLO^A/'ER.— The Globe-flower (Trolliits Euvopceus) 

 acquired the sobriquet of Troll-flower in allusion to the Trolls, 

 who were malignant elves, and because of the plant's acrid 

 poisonous qualities. (See Globe Flower). 



True-Love.— See Herb Paris. 



TUBEROSE. — The name Tuberose is simply a corruption 

 of the plant's botanical title PoUanthes tttbcrosa. The Malayans call 

 this sweet-scented flower " The Mistress of Night : " when worn 

 in the hair by a Malayan lady, the blossom is an indication to her 

 lover that his suit is pleasing to her. The Tuberose is a native of 

 India, whence it was first brought to Europe towards the close of 

 the sixteenth century. Its blossoms were at first single, but La 

 Cour, a Dutch florist, obtained the double-flowering variety from' 

 seed. So tenacious was he of the roots, that even after he had pro- 

 pagated them so freely as to have more than he could plant, he 

 caused them to be cut to pieces in order that he might have the 

 pleasure of boasting that he was the only person in Europe who 

 possessed this flower. 



TULASI. — The Indian name of the Holy Basil (Ocimum 

 sanctum) is Tulasi, under which appellation this sacred plant is wor- 

 shipped as a goddess. (See Basil). 



