vn.] THE FOLK-LORE OF PLANTS. 121 



The Mountain Ash or Rowan-tree was a protec- 

 tion against, and a remedy for, the effects of the 

 " Evil-eye," witches, and warlocks. Farmers, to pro- 

 tect their cattle, hung branches of rowan and honey- 

 suckle in their cow-houses on the 2d of May. This 

 property of the tree is recorded in a very ancient 

 ballad, entitled " The Laidley Worm of Spindleston 

 Heughs : " 



" Their spells were vain, the hags returned 



To the Queen in sorrowful mood, 

 Crying that witches have no power 

 Where there is Rowan-tree wood." 



Stumps of this tree have frequently been found in 

 druidical circles and burying-places. 



The Houseleek is planted on the roofs of houses 

 to protect them from storms and lightning, and the 

 Welsh peasants consider that it brings good luck. 

 The Stonecrop, if wrapped up in a black cloth and 

 placed under any one's pillow, was an unfailing 

 remedy for sleeplessness, but it must be so placed 

 without the patient's knowledge. 



The Ash was credited with many powers, and 

 suffered accordingly. The tops and leaves were 

 '* good against the bitings of serpents and vipers," of 

 which Culpepper says : " I suppose this had its rise 

 from Gerard or Pliny, both which hold, That there is 

 such an antipathy between an adder and an Ash-tree, 

 that if an adder be encompassed round with Ash- 

 tree leaves, she will sooner run through the fire than 

 through the leaves : the contrary to which is the 

 truth, as both my eyes are witness." If a ruptured 

 child were passed through the stem of a split Ash- 



