DORSETSHIRE FOLK-SPEECH AND SUPERSTITIONS. 43 



is regarded as a sign that one of the owner's family will die before 

 very long. Upon this subject the late Rev. Canon Bingham made 

 the following communication to Notes awl Queries (4th series, x., 

 408) : 



" Remarking an apple blossom a few days ago " (month of 

 November) " on one of my trees I pointed it out as a curiosity to 

 a Dorset labourer. " Ah ! sir, he said, " 'tis lucky no women folk 

 be here to see that," and upon my asking the reason he replied, 

 "Because they'd be sure to think that somebody were a-going 

 to die." 



An apple-pip is often used by girls as a test of their lover's 

 fidelity. If, on putting it on the fire, it burst with the heat she is 

 assured of his affection, but if it is consumed in silence she may 

 know he is false. 



Sicallow-2)ear : A tiny wild pear ; so called because it can be 

 taken whole at a swallow. 



In some parts of Dorset the same superstitions which obtain as 

 to the blossoming of apple trees out of season applies also to pear 

 trees, when such an unusual occurrence presages trouble or death. 



Tarvatch : A species of tare (ervum) that grows among the 

 corn and in wet weather weighs it down. 



Tissty-tosty : A co \vslip-ball, consisting of the blossoms of 

 cowslips tied in a globular form: 



The following lines are repeated by children while playing with 

 it: 



" Tissty-tossty, tell me true, 

 Who shall I be married to 1 " 



The names of A, B, C, (fee., &c., are mentioned until the ball 

 drops. And again : 



" Tissty-tossty, four-and-foarty, 

 How many years shall I live hearty ? " 



The numbers one, two, three, four, &c., &c., are called out until 

 the ball drops as before. 



Toad's-meat : Toadstool ; fungus. 



The idea that the toad is capable of exercising the most malign 



