200 FLORA DOMESTIC A. 



iperico ; perforata is common in woods, hedges, &c. in 

 almost every part of Europe. On account of its balsamic 

 qualities it is useful in medicine : an infusion of it is made 

 in the manner of tea ; and the leaves given in substance 

 are said to destroy worms. An infusion of the flowers 

 and young tops of this plant in oil is used externally in 

 wounds, &c. The flowers tinge spirits and oils with a 

 fine purple colour ; and the dried plant boiled with alum 

 dyes wool yellow. 



Mistaking the meaning of some of the medical writers, 

 who, from a supposition of its utility in hypochondriacal 

 disorders, have given it the fanciful name of fuga damo- 

 num [devil's flight], the common people in France and 

 Germany gather it with great ceremony on St. John's- 

 day, and hang it in their windows as a charm against 

 storms, thunder, and evil spirits. In Scotland, also, it is 

 carried about as a charm against witchcraft and enchant- 

 ment; and they fancy it cures ropy milk, which they 

 suppose to be under some malignant influence. As the 

 flowers, rubbed between the fingers, yield a red juice, it 

 has also obtained the name of sanguis hominis [human 

 blood] among fanciful medical writers. 



Cowper speaks of the Hypericum as remarkably full of 

 blossom : the species vary in this particular : 



" Hypericum all bloom, so thick a swarm 

 Of flowers, like flies clothing her slender rods, 

 That scarce a leaf appears." 



