PRE-SAXON CIVILIZATION IN DORSET. 219 



The oak (Celtic Tanri) was worshipped by the Druids, 

 who maintained a perpetual fire from its wood. Once a 

 year all fires were extinguished, to be relighted from the 

 burning wood on the sacred altar. This is the origin of 

 the Yule log. The reviving brand was generally of oak, 

 but sometimes of ash, and thus it comes about that in 

 Dorset we still burn the Ashen or Christmas brand on 

 Christmas Eve. 



The mistletoe is also associated Avith the Druids, who 

 thought it was a remedy for many diseases and an antidote 

 to poison. It was ceremoniously cut by a white -robed Druid 

 with a golden hook, the precious branches falling on a white 

 cloth spread beneath the tree to receive them. 



The mountain ash was also beloved by the Druids, and 

 is found growing in the places they frequented. It was 

 reputed to have the power of saving people from the 

 power of evil spirits, and so was planted near habitations. 

 Its Gaelic name was caerthaun, the quicken tree or quick 

 beam. 



Vervain ( Verbena officinalis) was a plant of great repute, 

 and looked upon as a holy herb by the Druids. It had to be 

 gathered at the rising of the great Dog Star, when neither 

 sun nor moon was above the earth to see it, and under those 

 conditions was able to bestow the power of prophecy. The 

 Romans honoured it also, and used it when casting lots, 

 telling fortunes, and foretelling future events. It could drive 

 away evil spirits, and would cure no less than thirty diseases. 

 A piece of vervain hung round the neck by a white ribbon 

 would avert infection. The Romans strewed their temples 

 with its sprays, and its flowers were laid upon their altars. 

 It is often found growing in England nea.c some Roman 

 settlement. 



The devil's bit, or scabious, must have been always a herb 

 of note, because its root contained a cure for every evil that 

 man is heir to. The devil thought a plant of that character 

 would be fatal to all his schemes, so he bit off the root and 

 the marks of his teeth are to be seen to this day. 



