Witch-Hazel ( H amamelidece ) 



121 



learned from the Indian what the medicine was, that it 

 was an extract of Witch-Hazel, and received directions 

 for its preparation. He prepared it and sold it very 

 widely, calling it from his own name ' Pond's Extract' 

 Now the receipt and all rights are held by a New York 

 and London Company called the ' Pond's Extract Co.' 



One reason for the popular name of the plant is faith 

 in its power of indicating the presence of hidden springs. 

 A man slowly paces the ground holding a switch of the 

 hazel. Presently he thinks he feels the stick turning 

 strongly in his grasp. He digs at the spot indicated, 

 very likely finds water if he digs far enough, and so 

 has his belief confirmed. 



The slender branches are very tough "awful tough, 

 so 's you can tie up rails with 'em " as a man once de- 

 scribed them to me. 



" Among the crimson and yellow hues of the falling 

 leaves, there is no more remarkable object than the 

 Witch-Hazel in the moment of parting with its foliage, 

 putting forth a profusion of showy yellow blossoms, and 

 giving to November the counterfeited appearance of 

 spring." 



It is by far the most unique and weird-like of all our 

 shrubs. It deserves its name. 



You tangled bush 

 With frost-killed leaves, and yellow flowers 



That outward push 

 In spite of ice and autumn hours ; 

 You weird, wild thing o'-th'-woods 

 Ycleped witch-hazel, broods 

 A ghoul, I fear, 

 Within you here, 



