itdt llaxtt. 



f)ailianiclis birginiana. Natural Order: HamamelaceLC — Witch Hazel Family. 



WADA and various parts of the United States produce this 

 luge shrub about as commonly as Virginia, from which it 

 tJLines Its distinctive qualification; its name, the Greek appel- 

 tne ot the medlar, has been misapplied b}' a mistake which 

 It IS now hard to rectity. The small branches were formerly 

 used to discover veins of water and precious metals; and 

 there aie those who have inherited sufficient superstition to still have 

 faith in their efficiency. We have seen wells said to ha\e been so 

 located, but how an unconscious piece of hazel should be more wise 

 than man, is more than can be divined. A recent theory is, that it 

 may be through some law of electricity not jet understood. The mode 

 of procedure is in this manner: A branch that is forked is held, one 

 branch in each hand, the main end pointing upward; the moment that 

 it passes over water, it turns around and points to the earth. It is said, 

 not to turn in the hands of evervone. 



however. 



H.WE led a life too stirring for those vague beliefs 

 Tliat superstition builds in solitude. —Miss Landon. 



/~VUR witches are no longer old 

 ^^ And wrinkled beldames, Satan-sold, 

 But young and gay and laughing creatures. 

 With the heart's sunshine on their features: 

 Their sorcery — the light which dances 



When the raised lid unvails its glances, 

 And the low-breathed and gentle tone 

 Faintly responding unto ours. 

 Soft, dreamlike as a fairy's moan, 

 .\boye its nightly closing flowers. 



W 



- WhittUr. 



HAT are these, so wither'd and so wild in their attire. 

 That look not like the inhabitants o' the earth. 



.\nd vet are on 't? 

 ■nUT the witch-hazel's rtower 



Of golden vehet. opening when the storm 

 Comes on the wings of w inter to deform, [hour 

 Charms with contrasting bloom while ruin rules the 

 -Aljred B. ^tre.l. 



— Shakespeare. 

 KNOW — whereon the sirens s 

 \x\ island in a dark-green sea. 



Oft at the wind's o\ 



I sail my boat delighted! 



past It 



m 



3^' 



J 



