CLEAVERS 199 



is thought to be never struck by lightning. Witches like to lurk under 

 it. It must not be tampered with after dark. It was used as a witch- 

 scarer. The green juice of its bark was used to anoint the eyes, which 

 could then discern witches. In Styria it was introduced into different 

 rites. On January 6, the devil goes about in great force. People 

 should make a magic circle, and stand in it themselves. 



It was believed to drive away evil spirits in Germany, and after 

 sunset wreaths of Elder are hung up on Good Friday as charms against 

 lightning. Branches were used in May festivals. Sir John Maunde- 

 ville said it stood on Mount Sion. Lest its evil smell should contami- 

 nate fruit trees it is not planted near them. In Belgium, for the 

 toothache, they put an elder-twig in the mouth, and then, sticking it 



in a well, say: 



" Depart thou evil spirit ". 



On the Continent it is used as a punishment. It was thought to be 

 a cure for warts. In Chaucer's day it was called Hyldor or Hyllantre. 



The leaves yield a volatile oil, used in poultices. The berries make 

 good wine. In the time of Chaucer a strong infusion was used to 

 destroy caterpillars. The middle bark was once used for dropsy. 

 The flowers are diaphoretic and expectorant. The plant is used to 

 flavour vinegar. It is a common ornamental shrub, cultivated in the 

 garden, and showing variation, &c. 



ESSENTIAL SPECIFIC CHARACTERS: 



137. Sambucus nigra, L. Tree, with woody stem and furrowed 

 grey bark, young bark purple, pithy, leaves pinnate, leaflets ovate, 

 serrate, flowers creamy-white, in cyme with 5 branches, fruit black, 

 luscious. 



Cleavers (Galium Aparine, L.) 



This common well-known hedge plant can boast of some antiquity, 

 for it is found in Neolithic beds at Casewick. It is found in the 

 North Temperate and Arctic Zones, moreover, at the present time, in 

 Arctic Europe, N. Asia, W. Asia to India, and Temperate N. and S. 

 America. It is found in every part of Great Britain, ascending to 

 1 200 ft. in Yorkshire. 



Cleavers is one of the commonest hedgerow plants, growing freely 

 along the wayside, where it runs rampant to the exclusion of all else. 

 It is also common in the hedgerows and fields, growing side by side 

 with Hedge Parsley. It grows too in cornfields, and in stack-yards, 

 as well as on waste ground. 



Tall and clustered, numerous branches spread out from a single 



