FLORA'S LEXICON. 



143 



ISLETOE. Viscum Alba. Class 22, DICE- 

 CIA. Order: TETRANDRIA. This plant, 

 especially when found growing on the oak, 

 was held in the greatest veneration by the 

 Druids, which, having no attachment to 

 earth, they considered to be of celestial ori- 

 gin. The utmost solemnity was used in 

 the gathering of it ; it took place always at the close of the year, 

 when the moon was just six days old. Two white bulls, which 

 had never felt the yoke, were fastened by their horns to the for- 

 tunate oak whereon the misletoe had been discovered ; a priest, 

 clad in a white vesture, then ascended the tree, and detached the 

 plant with a golden hook or bill, whilst others stood ready to 

 receive it in a white woollen cloth : this done, they then prepared 

 to offer the best of their flocks and herds in sacrifice, " mumbling 

 many orisons, and praying devoutly that it would please God to 

 bless this gift of his to the good and benefit of all those to whom 

 he had vouchsafed to give it." Water, in which it had been 

 steeped, they considered a panacea for diseases of every descrip- 

 tion ; hence the name they gave it, ' omnia sanans," or " all-heal." 



PARASITE. 



"A parasite! I would not be, 



For worlds, that servile thing; 

 Not royalty itself, from me 

 E'er homage won of heart or knee ; 



To Power I would not cling 

 (Like this vile plant to oaken bough), 

 Though it had kingdoms to bestow !" 



'Tis proudly said yet pause for Power 



A crown not always wears; 

 Oft hundred-headed (as of yore 

 The monster, famed in classic lore,) 



Its Proteus-form appears: 



And thus disguised from mortal ken r 



Hast thou ne'er worshipped in its train? ANON. 



