COLOUR IN MY GARDEN 



of the admiration lavished upon them, only their given 

 names. 



It is probable that future introductions to the plant 

 world will receive only the most commonplace of common 

 names, unless children come to our aid. We are grown 

 much more self-conscious than of old, more hesitant in 

 expressing our fancy, and we feel to a greater degree than 

 did our gardening forefathers and foremothers the neces- 

 sity for accuracy. 



Of course the present day is almost entirely deprived of 

 one most productive source of vernacular plant names — 

 that of superstition. The superstitious peasantry of all 

 ages contributed enormously to the number of plant names. 

 The great number that have been in the past credited with 

 magical power may be understood from the many that 

 bear such names as Enchanter' s-herb or Sorcerer's Violet. 

 The Vervain was known by the former name and Drayton 

 wrote 



Trefoil, Vervain, Johnswort, Dill, 

 Hinder witches of their will. 



The unassuming little Periwinkle won the name of Sorcerer's 

 Violet from the assumption that it was one of the chosen 

 flowers of the "wise folk" in their magic-working operations. 

 Plants associated with witches, pixies, Puck, fairies, elves, 

 and even with his satanic majesty are too many to mention. 

 A great many plants also are dedicated to the Virgin Mary 

 and a few to our Saviour. The saints have a long list, as 

 St. Johnswort, St. Barbara's Cress, St. Peter's Wreath, St. 

 Patrick's Cabbage. These, I believe it is generally assumed, 



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