440 FLORA DOMESTIC A. 



employed in sacrifices, incantations, &c. : it is one of the 

 plants termed by the Greeks Sacred Herb. It was sus- 

 pended round the neck as an amulet, thought good against 

 venomous bites, and recommended as a sovereign medicine 

 for various diseases. 



It is supposed to have been in use with the Druids upon 

 sacred occasions : 



" Lift your boughs of vervain blue. 

 Dipt in cold September dew ; 

 And dash the moisture, chaste and clear, 

 O'er the ground and through the air." 



MASON*. 



In Britain it has fallen into disuse, in spite of a pamphlet 

 written expressly to recommend it, directing the root to be 

 tied with a yard of white satin riband round the neck, and 

 to remain there till the patient recovered. 



In Rome, the Vervain was used on various occasions, as, 

 in religious ceremonies, incantations, treaties, &c. : 



" Bring your garlands, and with reverence place 

 The vervain on the altar." 



BEN JONSON t. 



Virgil mentions it as one of the charms used by an en- 

 chantress : 



" Effer aquam et molli cinge haec altaria vitta : 

 Verbenasque adole pingues, et mascula thura." 



PASTORAL 8. 



" Bring running water, bind those altars round 

 With fillets, and with vervain strow the ground." 



DRYDEN'S VERSION. 



The Vervain was used by the Romans in the most ancient 

 league, of which the memory is preserved among them ; 



* See the Druid's chorus in Caractacus. 



t See Sejanus, Gifford's Edition of Jonson, Vol. III. p. 



