THE PEACH. THE DOLLS' FESTIVAL. 17 



cherry-blossoms make an "objectionable combination." The peach- 

 blossom is, however, most felicitous by itself, or with other blos- 

 soms, on the occasion of the Dolls' Festival, often called the "Peach 

 Festival," on the third day of the third month. Indeed, the peach 

 is especially connected with girls. 



The peach is commonly supposed to have the mysterious power 

 of driving away evil spirits, or keeping them at a distance. In 

 Chinese as well as in Japanese folklore, arrows made of peach-tree 

 wood are frequently used for the purpose of piercing the otherwise 

 invulnerable hearts of devils. 



Chinese doctors sometimes use the extract of the peach leaves 

 or kernels for medicinal purposes. 



