THE CUCKOO-PINT. 207 



whom he may wish, even though the presence of 

 more fascinating rivals might otherwise have de- 

 prived him of so enviable a lot. 



The reverent feeling of our own peasants towards 

 the plant is recorded by Mrs. Hemans, who says, in 

 speaking of the arum : 



* * " These deep, unwrought marks, 



The villagers will tell thee (and with voice 

 Lowered, in his true heart's reverent earnestness) 

 Are the flower's portion from th' atoning blood 

 On Calvary shed. Beneath the cross it grew ; 

 And in the vase-like hollow of its leaf, 

 Catching from that dread shower of agony 

 A few mysterious drops, transmitted thus 

 Unto the groves and hills their healing stains 

 A heritage for storm or vernal winds 

 Never to waft away." 



For truly, 



" Many a sign 



Of the great sacrifice, which won us Heaven, 

 The woodman and the mountaineer can trace 

 On rock, on herb, on flower, and be it so ! 

 They do not wisely, that, with hurried hand, 

 "Would pluck these salutary fancies forth 

 From their strong soil within the peasant's breast, 

 And scatter them far, far, too fast away 

 As worthless weeds. Oh, little do we know 

 When they have soothed, when saved! " 



Nor is it very extraordinary that superstitions 

 should be attached to a plant of so very singular an 

 appearance, and so totally unlike the generality of 

 flowers. The common drum maculdtum is our 

 only British species, which, though somewhat rare 

 in Scotland abounds in England in moist hedo-e- 



