I. Aquifolium : Legends, etc. 



As it is considered unlucky to take Holly into 

 a house before Christmas Eve, so it is also said 

 to be unlucky if it is not taken down before 

 Candlemas Eve, and as a punishment to the 

 maidens who have neglected the work, goblins 

 will appear and frighten them. 



In connection with this superstition the follow- 

 ing verse by Herrick, culled from the pages of 

 Plant Lore, p. 377, is presented : 



" Down with the Holly and Ivy all 

 Wherewith ye deck the Christmas Hall, 

 So that the superstitious find 

 No one least branch there left behind ; 

 For look how many leaves there be 

 Neglected there maids 'tend to me 

 So many goblins ye shall see." 



A common idea prevailed in some country 

 places a few years ago that dire disaster would 

 attend the occupants of a house who were unwise 

 enough to take their Holly down before Shrove 

 Tuesday, at which time it must be burnt on the 

 same fire as that on which pancakes were fried. 



In some out-of-the-way parts of Kent a custom 

 was in vogue some years ago for the girls of 

 various villages to make guys of Holly branches 

 to burn on Shrove Tuesday, the lads retaliating 

 with guys of Ivy. 



According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, 

 a superstition prevails in Worcestershire and 

 Herefordshire to the effect that Holly that has 



49 



