THE 8TOET OF THE WILD FLOWEBS. 15 



with these humble plants. The oak and the mistletoe 

 carry us back to the old Druid ages ; indeed, the very- 

 word " Druid " is derived from the Greek word signi- 

 fying " oak." The Vervain and the common St. John's 

 "Wort, before mentioned, were either connected with 

 druiuical rites, or had a halo of superstition thrown 

 round them, the meaning of which has lingered until 

 the present time in distant country nooks. Vervain, 

 or Kervain, is still believed to be efficacious in cases of 

 defective vision and of diseases of the bladder. But 

 to make it effective as a " herb of grace " and of " good 

 luck," to be worn about the body, it must, says a cor- 

 respondent of " Notes and Queries," be gathered with 

 certain formalities, first crossed with the hand, and then 

 blessed thus : 



" Hallowed be though, kervein, 



As though growest on the ground, 

 For in the inotint of Calvary 



There though was first found. 

 Though healedst our Saviour Jesus Christ, 



And stanchedeot His bleeding wound ; 

 In the name of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, 



I take thee from the ground." 



Tiie common Dog Eose (JRosa canina) was noted by 

 Julius Cassar in his account of the invasion of Britain, 

 and it is yet the prettiest object of our hedgerows. 



