PERFORATED ST. JOHN'S WORT. 



Hypericum perforatuni,. 



Class PoLYADELPHiA. Order Polyanduia. Nat. Ord. 

 HypERiciNEiE. — St. John's Wort Tribe. 



The English name of this bright yellow 

 flower reminds us of the practices with which 

 it was once connected. It was one of the 

 flowers gathered by our forefathers to be thrown 

 into the bonfires which were kindled in London 

 on the Eve of St. John It was formerly worn 

 in Scotland to preserve the wearer against 

 witches and enchantments ; and in several 

 continental countries the superstition lingers 

 yet, that it is a charm against thunder and light- 

 ning, and the machinations of evil spirits. In 

 many parts of France and Germany, the 

 peasantry still gather its golden blooms with 

 much ceremony on St. John's Day, and hang 

 them up in their windows and doorways to 

 avert evil. Alfred Lear Huxford has alluded 

 to a somewhat similar practice — 



" So then about her brow 

 They bound Hypericum, whose potent leaves 

 Have sovereign power o'er all the sullen fits 

 And cheerless fancies that besiege the mind ; 

 Banishing ever, to their native night, 

 Dark thoughts, and causing to spring up within 

 The heart distress'd, a glow of gladdening hope, 

 And rainbow visions of kind destiny." 



