120 THE FOLK-LORE OF PLANTS. [CHAP. 



The roots and flowers of Violets, in addition to 

 curing a large number of complaints, would moderate 

 anger, and comfort and strengthen the heart. But 

 here is a prescription from an Anglo-Saxon Herbal 

 against that rarity, a talkative woman : " Against a 

 woman's chatter, taste at night, fasting, a root of 

 radish ; that day the chatter cannot harm thee." 



The St. John's Wort was, and is still in some parts 

 of the country, gathered on the eve of St. John the 

 Baptist, and hung over windows and doors to keep 

 out all evil spirits, and shield the inmates from storms 

 and all other calamities. 



Speaking of the Holly, Culpepper tells us : " Pliny 

 saith, The branches of the tree defend houses from 

 lightning, and men from witchcraft." 



All plants with the leaf divided into three, as in 

 the Clover and Wood Sorrel, were pptent against all 

 manner of evil. It was a type of the Trinity, three 

 in one. But a clover-leaf divided into four was of 

 far more importance. " If a man walking in the 

 fields finds any four-leaved grass, he shall in a short 

 while after, finde some good thing." Such leaves 

 were good for cattle, but very bad for witches and 

 others of the same profession. 



An old author tells us that " the wort that one 

 names betonicum is produced in meadows and on 

 clean soils ; it is good for man's soul and for his body ; 

 it shields him against monstrous nocturnal visitors, 

 and against horrible visions and dreams." The same 

 author, speaking of the Mullein, says : " A twig of this 

 plant borne by any one is a charm against frights or 

 hurts from any wild beast, or any evil coming near." 



