The Folk-Lore of Plants. 335 
Nigella Damascena is called devil-in-a-bush, and certain 
species of Lycoperdon are his snuff-box. Along onr coasts 
Laminaria longicruris supplies the devil with aprons, and in 
various parts, Clematis virginiana is known as devil’s darning- 
needles. Mrs. Bergen says that in Ohio and New England 
children call Aplectrum hyemale ‘‘ Adam and Eve.” When this 
somewhat rare plant has been found, they immediately 
begin to look around for the “ devil,” as they call the third 
leaf which is frequently seen near by, it probably being a 
new plantlet sent up from a root stock." 
Much prettier are the superstitions which associate flow- 
ers and fairies. Their dainty brightness seems foreign to the 
Indian character, but in our country districts children still 
adhere to many of the fanciful ideas of their fora tnee 
Bright green rings of grass are to them “ fairy rings,’ 
within which “ the little folk” hold midnight revels, feast- 
ing on fairy cheeses, (Malva rotundifolia) off mushroom 
tables, the company having been summoned by the gay 
jingle of ‘“ fairy bells,” (Oxalis acetosella.) 
The belief in the supernatural character of plants is 
fast dying out, but, even in this rational age, some are 
considered effective charms and are consulted in playful 
divination. Children, especially, have quick eyes for the 
marvellous, and accept, readily, any notion once formulated. 
In Clarenceville, P.Q., children pull a dandelion, which has 
gone to seed, and blow the feathery head to see if their 
mothers wish them to go home. They also tell the hour 
by counting the number of times it is necessary to blow 
the dandelion before removing all the achenes. 
This is referred to in: 
“ Dandelion with globe of down, 
The school boy’s clock in every town, 
Which the truant puffs amain 
To conjure lost hours back again.” 
A favorite amusement in every place, is to hold a butter- 
cup under the chin to see if one “ loves butter” or no. 
1The Animal and Plant Lore of Children, by Mrs. Bergen. 
Pop. Sci. M., vol. 29. 
