COMMON ST. JOHN'S-WORT 



of witches. When a spray of St. John's-Wort was 

 placed above the door, along with a cross, no witch 

 or demon could enter; moreover, obtained with certain 

 ceremonious observances, it was thought to divine the 

 future, presaging life or death, marriage or disaster: 



"The young maid stole through the cottage door, 

 And blushed as she sought the plant of power; 

 Thou silver glowworm, oh, lend me thy light, 

 I must gather the mystic St. John's- wort to-night; 

 The wonderful herb whose leaf shall decide 

 If the coming year shall make me a bride." 



St. John's-Wort is common in waste places from 

 June to September. It is native not only to Europe 

 but to Asia. 



There are many species of St. John's-Wort, varying 

 from small herbs to shrubs, bearing flowers from pale 

 to copper yellow, but all distinctly marked by the 

 family peculiarities. 



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