78 OUR ROCK-GARDEN 



knitting of bones, and that truely, would seeme 

 vnto some incredible : but common experience 

 teacheth that in the world there is not to be found 

 another herbe comparable vnto it for the pur- 

 poses aforesaid." r If, then, we can assume two 

 things that the plant is of immense healing and 

 sealing virtue, and that Solomon in his wisdom 

 discovered this and made it known, or was at 

 least held to have done so, we may be content 

 to let them serve as our explanation. It seems 

 very possible that the latter half of the word was 

 suggested by the bunches of seals that were some- 

 times worn, pendant like the flower clusters. 



The stitchwort, one of the most characteristic 

 flowers of May, will ordinarily be found in pro- 

 fusion in the hedgerows. It is of a very light and 

 delicate nature, yet it seems well able to hold its own 

 in the general struggle for existence. Its flowers 

 are of a pure white colour, and are hence very con- 

 spicuous, as they star the verdant banks with their 

 abundant blossoms. 



In Tusser's " Fiue Hundred Pointes of Good 

 Husbandrie" many plants are commended for 

 cultivation. Some, as " lettice, cresies, sorrell," 



1 Another old writer declares that for the staunching of 

 blood it is sufficient to hold some Solomon's-seal in one's hand 

 till it grow warm there, or longer if need be." This latter 

 stipulation would probably frequently be of necessary 

 employment. 



