RELIGION IN THE PLANT WORLD 
Romans called it “the sacred herb” and re- 
garded it as an aid in divinations and omens. 
On New Year’s Day, it was sent to friends as 
a token of greeting. The Roman generals wore 
a sprig in their pockets as a protection against 
bodily injury. 
The Soma or Moon-Plant of India (Ascle- 
pias Acida) is a climbing vine with milky juice 
which is said to confer immortality upon its ad- 
mirers. 
Pomegranate was long reverenced by the 
Persians and Jews as the forbidden fruit of the 
Garden of Eden. 
The Indian plant Basil for many centuries 
has been held in good repute by the Hindus, 
having been made sacred to Vishnu. 
Mahomet pronounced Henna, the Egyptian 
Privet, “chief of the flowers of this world and 
the next.” Wormwood was dedicated to the 
goddess Iris. 
If there are many plants which man’s adora- 
tion has made religious, there are almost an 
equal number which his suspicion and pervers- 
ity have branded irreligious. A famous plant of 
this kind is the Enchanter’s Nightshade which 
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