st. john's-wort. .J17 



nearly resemble the H. perforatum, but the foregoing description 

 will sufficiently distinguish it. The Tutsan (H. Andiroscemum), 

 so called from the French Toute-saine, in allusion to its vulnerary 

 properties, occurs in thickets, and under hedges, though seldom 

 truly wild in England. 



The derivation of the name proves the superstitious notions 

 that were formerly current respecting this plant. It was called 

 fuga dcemonum, probably not because it was ever supposed 

 capable of expelling demons, but on account of its beneficial 

 effects in hypochondriasis and insanity. It has, however, ob- 

 tained the popular character of a charm against witchcraft and 

 evil spirits. According to Pennant, it is customary in Wales 

 to stick sprigs of St. John's- Wort on every door on the eve 

 of St. John's day ; and Stow * informs us, " that on the vigil of 

 St. John the Baptist, every man's door being shadowed with 

 green birch, long fennel, St. John's-Wort or pine, white lilies, 

 and such like, garnished upon with garlands of beautiful flowers, 

 had also lamps of glass, with oil burning in them all night." 

 Formerly it was carried about by the people of Scotland as a 

 preservative from enchantments and spells ; and they fancy that 

 the malignant influence which has produced ropy milk in their 

 pails is dispelled by milking afresh upon this herb. The common 

 people in France and Germany gather it with great ceremony 

 on St. John's day, and keep it in their houses as a preservative 

 against storms, thunder, and evil spirits ; and the girls of Lower 

 Saxony hang sprigs of this plant at the head of their bed on the 

 eve of St. John's dayf. Harte refers to this custom, when, 

 after enumerating certain flowers, he speaks of 



" that which on the Baptist's vigil sends 



To nymphs and swains the vision of their friends." 



Moreover, from the red coloured juice of its capsules, con- 

 sidered a signature of human blood, and perhaps from the 

 punctured appearance of the leaves, St. John's-Wort has been 

 in great repute as a remedy for wounds. In allusion to the 

 leaves, it has been fancifully termed " the herb of war : " — 



* See Brand's Antiquities, vol. i. p. 246. 



f See Drummond's First Steps to Botany, for some pretty lines referring 

 to this practice, translated from the German. 



