HYPERICUM. 227 



The leaves of the Common Tutsan were formerly ap- 

 plied to fresh wounds, whence it obtained the French 

 name, la toute-saine^ and our name, Tutsan. It is a na- 

 tive of this country, and most other parts of Europe. 



The Perforated Hypericum, or St. John's Wort, in 

 French, le millepertius [the many-pierced] ; Fherbe de St. 

 Jean ; le trucheran ; le trescalanjaune : in Italian, pilatro ; 

 iperico ; perforata is common in woods, hedges, &c. in 

 almost every part of Europe. The specific name, Per- 

 forated, refers to the leaves, which, if held up to the light, 

 will be found to be pierced all over with a number of very 

 minute holes. 



" Hypericon was there, the herb of war, 

 Pierced through with wounds, and seam'd with many a scar." 



On account of its balsamic qualities, it is useful in medi- 

 cine : an infusion of it is made in the manner of tea : and 

 an infusion of the flowers and young tops, in oil, is used 

 externally in wounds, &c. The flowers tinge spirits and oils 

 with a fine purple colour ; and the dried plant boiled with 

 alum dyes wool yellow. 



Mistaking the meaning of some of the medical writers, 

 who, from a supposition of its utility in hypochondriacal 

 disorders, have given it the fanciful name oifuga dcemo- 

 num [devil's flight], the common people in France and 

 Germany gather it with great ceremony on St. John's- 

 day, and hang it in their windows as a charm against 

 storms, thunder, and evil spirits. In Scotland, also, it is 

 carried about as a charm against witchcraft and enchant- 

 ment : and they fancy it cures ropy milk, which they suppose 

 to be under some malignant influence. Pennant says, that 

 in Wales it is customary to stick sprigs of St. John's Wort 

 over every door on the eve of St. John's day ; and Stow, 

 in his Survey of London, tells us that, " on the vigil of St. 



