588 pPant "bore, Tsegsl^/, and Tsqricy. 



WORMWOOD. — The old Latin name of Wormwood was 

 Absinthium, and a variety known as A. Ponticuni is alluded to by 

 Ovid as being particularly bitter: — 



** Untilled barren ground the loathsome Wormwood yields, 

 And well 'tis known how, through its root, bitter become the fields." 



Johnston, in his Thamnatographia naturalis, notes a curious super- 

 stition, according to which we are assured that an infant will not 

 during its life be either hot or cold provided that its hands are 

 rubbed over with the juice of Wormwood before the twelfth week 

 of its life has expired. The ancients mingled Wormwood in their 

 luscious wines, or used it before or after drinking them in order to 

 counteradt their effedls. Sprays of Wormwood are often seen 

 suspended in cottages to drive away moths and other inse(5ts. 



" Where chamber is sweeped, and Wormwood is throwne, 

 No flea for his life dare abide to be knowne." 



Its powerful odour is so disliked by all kinds of insecfts that country 

 people often place Wormwood in their drawers to protedl; their 

 clothes, &c., from moths : hence its French name, Garde-robe. 

 Gerarde says that, mixed with vinegar, it is a good antidote to the 

 poison of Mushrooms or Toadstools, and taken with wine counter- 

 a(51s the poisonous effedts of Hemlock and the bites of the shrew 



mouse and sea dragon. Branches of Sea Wormwood [Absinthium 



marinum) were, according to Pliny, carried in processions by Egyp- 

 tian priests dedicated to the service of the goddess Isis. A species 

 called Semefitina was formerly called Holy Wormwood, and its 

 seed Holy Wormseed [semen sandum) — for what reason is not 



known. Dreams connecfled with Wormwood are considered of 



good augury, implying happiness and domestic enjoyment. As- 

 trologers adjudge Wormwood to be a herb of Mars. 



YARROW.— The Yarrow, or Milfoil [Achillea Millefolium), is 

 a plant which delights to find a home for itself in churchyards. 

 Probably on account of this peculiarity it has been selecfled to 

 play an important part in several rustic incantations and charms. 

 In the South and West of England, damsels resort to the following 

 mode of love-divination : — The girl must first pluck some Yarrow 

 from a young man's grave, repeating the while these words: — 



" Yarrow, sweet Yarrow, the first that I have found. 

 In the name of Jesus Christ I pluck it from the ground; 

 As Jesus loved sweet Mary, and took her for His dear, 

 So in a dream this night, I hope my true love will appear." 



She must then sleep with the Yarrow under her pillow, and in her 



dreams her future husband will appear. Another formula states : 



The Yarrow must be plucked exacftly on the first hour of morn: 

 place three sprigs in your shoe or glove, saying: — 



" Good morning, good morning, good Yarrow, 

 And thrice good morning to thee; 

 Tell me, before this time to-morrow, 

 Who my true love is to be." 



