SIXTH DAY. 163 



made every thing look fresh and vivified. 

 What a peculiar odour pervades the air. 



S. It is the trees in this elder hedge. 



J. I was not aware that the scent of 

 the elder was so powerful. 



S. Nor are the rustics hereabouts now 

 aware why their forefathers planted the 

 elder round their gardens. In Scotland, 

 north of the Grampians, I believe it is well 

 known to be noxious to vermin of the snail 

 and caterpillar kind, and therefore they 

 water their gardens with water in which 

 the leaves of this tree have been steeped. 

 The practice was doubtless once common 

 in England ; and thus, in Piers Plough- 

 man, Judas is said to have hanged himself, 

 on an elder, it being doubtless considered 

 fitter than all the trees of the forest for 

 such a delinquent : 



" Judas he japed 

 With Jewen silver 

 And sithen on an eller 

 Hanged himself." 



