110 OUR ROCK-GARDEN 



rubbing their eyes with this herb, or restored their 

 vision if lost by any mischance. 1 Even before the 

 Christian era Dioscorides called the plant the cheli- 

 donium, while Pliny says " the brute animals have 

 been the discoverers of certain plants, and amongst 

 them we will name the Chelidonia first of all," and 

 he then goes on to narrate the popular belief that 

 we have given. It was a most natural onward step 

 to take to believe that what was of such miraculous 

 value to the little swallows would naturally also be 

 of healing power to mankind. As we see the 

 hedge-banks bright with the golden rays of the 

 hawk-weed florets, they recall to our minds another 

 of these old Greek fancies, for these plants were so 

 called two thousand years ago, from a belief that the 

 hawks eat these plants to strengthen their eyesight. 

 Insignificant in appearance as the plant is, we 

 must certainly find room for some vervain. It is 

 not without a certain lightness and grace, but it is 

 chiefly from its associations that one regards it with 

 interest, since it was for centuries " the holy ver- 



1 This belief is gravely set forth throughout the centuries, 

 each author embodying it in his book as a matter of course. 

 One example will suffice : " When as the Swalow adydeth 

 and buildeth amongst vs this plant serueth to great vse and 

 purpose. For if at any time by any mischance of fortune 

 hir yong be hurt or perilled in their eiesight the dam goeth 

 to this Herbe and presseth forthe his iuce, whiche being so 

 done, she annoynteth it about their eies, and so restoreth them 

 to the better, and their former state and case againe." 

 MAPLET, 1567. 



