clear one, tracing back to ancient religious story. 
Its healing power was known before the time of 
Christ, and it grew on Mount Calvary. The 
Druids considered it a sacred plant, sacred to 
the memory of Thor, the god of lightning. 
In the Classics. 
Pliny says bridal wreaths made of vervain, 
gathered by the bride herself, gave assurance of 
a long and happy conjugal life. Virgil refers to 
vervain as a charm to recover lost love. In 
Shakespeare’s time children hung vervain over 
the door to keep witches away. The principal 
herbs used in witches’ cauldrons were vervain and 
rue. The present generation of physicians has 
superseded herbalists and the vervain and many 
other herbs are not as well known as when, sixty 
years ago, children gathered them, not to keep 
away witches, but to be used medicinally by their 
elders. 
Pink Star of Seaside Marsh. 
The beautiful Sabbatia Stellaris — sea pink — 
grows in great profusion just south of Mon- 
mouth. Here is a flower that appeals to the 
most indifferent. Fortunate they who have had 
the pleasure of living under the gracious influence 
of this wee pink star of the seaside marsh. Mrs. 
Dana says of the Sabbatia: 
“The advancing year has few fairer sights to 
show us than a salt meadow flushed with these 
radiant blossoms. They are so abundant, so 
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